We have the best Indian batting: Ponting
MUMBAI: Though Delhi Capitals have been perennial underachievers in IPL, coach Ricky Ponting said on Saturday there is no pressure on his players and he expects them to play fearless cricket against Mumbai Indians on Sunday.
“There is no extra pressure on those guys. They go and play the game, then whatever happens, happens. They are well-prepared, exceptionally talented and I want them go out and play. We have got great depth and balance in our squad. Someone like Colin Ingram coming in at No 5 and Chris Morris in the middle-order; Axar Patel, if he plays, also has the experience in this format. There is no pressure on these boys to think they have to win the game. We have also got the best Indian batting order in this tournament, it’s up to them to prepare,” Ponting said.
GANGULY AN ASSET
This season, Delhi Capitals have roped in Sourav Ganguly in an advisory role and Ponting believes the former Indian skipper’s experience would come in handy.
“Sourav has been in an advisory role and has been with the team in every practice sessions. He is a little bit ill today so we could not get him to the training session. Someone with his knowledge and experience, (we) will be crazy not to try, understand and listen to what his ideas might be tactically around T20 games.”
Ponting was all praise for Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane but said fielding him would depend on the conditions.
“What we saw when he played the last time is he is an exceptionally talented young leg-spinner. He has played the Big Bash, the Bangladesh (Premier League), Pakistan (Super League). He has been everywhere in the last six months. Technically, he needs to adjust a few things and work on a few things in training.”
Ponting backed Capitals skipper Shreyas Iyer to use IPL to press for a World Cup spot.
“I am really happy with what Shreyas had to say, about making sure we stay in the present. If these Indian players have a great IPL, all they can do is push for selection in the Indian team. If he (Shreyas) can score a lot of runs, he can get into the Indian team.”
Shreyas said his focus is only to help Capitals win matches without worrying about his World Cup chances. “The focus would be playing match by match and IPL is really important currently, because I am leading the team and winning every match is my first priority. Thinking about the World Cup would be a follow up to IPL and I don’t want to think much about the selection process.”