IPL 2022: There was confusion and nervousness but we maintained focus on the game – Rishabh Pant

Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant admitted that there was confusion and nervousness but they maintained focus on the game. As DC’s all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and physio Patrick Farhart were tested positive for Covid-19, the BCCI decided to shift their match from Pune to Mumbai.

Furthermore, Pant revealed that Tim Seifert also tested positive for the virus on the morning of the game. With so much going behind the scenes, it must not have been easy for Delhi’s players to focus their energy on the game.

However, the off-field issues peppered Delhi to come up with their best in the match against Punjab Kings at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Wednesday as they won comprehensively by nine wickets.

Delhi skittled out Punjab Kings for a paltry score of 115 runs as their spinners dominated the contest. Axar Patel, Lalit Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav scalped two wickets each and conceded 45 runs in the 10 overs they bowled.

On the other hand, Delhi openers Prithvi Shaw and David Warner gave a quickfire start to their team as they added 81 runs in the powerplay overs, to almost put the run-chase to bed. It was a dominating performance from Delhi Capitals as they obliterated Punjab Kings in all the aspects of the game to win by a huge margin.

Rishabh Pant said in the post-match presentation, “Obviously there was confusion in our camp because in the morning we got to know that Tim (Seifert) is also positive. There was some confusion, nervousness and what are we going to do now kinda feeling, but we spoke in the team meeting and pointed out on what we can focus, there was so much noise from the outside that we thought we will focus on the match. Mostly I like to leave them (Shaw and Warner) lone as everyone knows their roles in the team. We will look to improve in every match and that’s the only thing we can control, results are not in our control but we can learn from our mistakes. On a wicket like this I thought the ball was stopping a bit and that’s why I used more of the spinners.”

Delhi Capitals have now won three out of their six matches and they will look to build on the winning impetus. The Capitals will look to continue the good show in the upcoming matches. DC will next take on Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Friday.