DC in IPL 2023: 'Rishabh Pant-less' Delhi Capitals have hit rock bottom as after five defeats from all five games, they are the only team yet to win a single match in the ongoing 2023 season of Indian Premier League (IPL 2023). In their last fixture against, Delhi lost early wickets and it never looked like that they would come close to Bangalore's score of 174/6, eventually losing the match by 23 runs. Reacting to Delhi's loss to RCB and winless streak, their coach Ricky Ponting delivered a motivating speech to keep the dressing room atmosphere upbeat.
In the viral video, Ponting, one of the most respected voices in cricket fraternity, can be seen asking DC spinner Kuldeep to never say 'sorry' to him. Apparently, Kuldeep had said sorry to Ponting for not bowling well against Mumbai Indians.
"Good, really good bowling performance. They challenged us early; they got off to a flier. Our attitude and commitment came back, we dragged it back. Kuldeep, where are you mate? Disappointed last game, weren't you? You actually said sorry to me at the end of the game. So mate, don't you ever say sorry to me or anyone for what happens on the cricket field. What I want you to do is bounce back strong and today with 2/23 off four, it was an outstanding spell of bowling. Well done," Ponting said in a video shared by the Delhi Capitals.
Ponting lauded DC all-rounder Lalit Yadav for his bowling heroics, giving away just 29 runs in his 4 overs spell.
"Lalit, I thought you did a good job with the ball as well buddy. Two sixes in that one over otherwise the reason we bought you in today was to bowl those hard overs in the Powerplay, just outside it, and you did a great job as well. Axar you were also great. 1/25 off three and our golden boy Mitchell Marsh, who picks up 2/18 of his couple overs as well. So well done," added Ponting.
"Fielding was good. But it was good without being great. Whenever we take the field next time, I want to take the fielding from being good to great. I want you to go about your own preparations, look at your own vision, work on your own game plan and play it your way. One thing I said about the game, I know you keep on working hard. Keep doing all the right things, then eventually it's going to change. That's the only way we will be able to go forward boys - simple, altogether, as a group, work hard together for each other to turn things around," the DC head coach pointed out.