IPL 2022 | I fully back Rishabh Pant’s on field decisions: Ponting on DC's poor performance against CSK

Delhi Capitals (DC) have been rather average with their performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, with only five wins in eleven appearances. 

In their last league match, DC faced their most significant loss of the season following a 91 runs defeat at the hands of Chennai Super Kings (CSK). 

The bowlers conceded 208 runs, with Nortje emerging as the top bowler with three wickets to his name, while Khaleel Ahmed made a decent return for the Capitals with two wickets to his name. 

In reply, the likes of Rishabh Pant and Mitchell Marsh tried to construct a partnership, but after their 36-run stand was broken, other batters failed to provide a hefty contribution as well. 

After the match, the DC head coach Ricky Ponting said that he backs every decision made by the captain and wicket-keeper Pant as the T20 format does not allow the skipper to micromanage their choices with limited time on their hands.

"I fully back every decision he (Pant) takes on the field. I being a T20 captain before, I know you don't have a lot of time to think about, especially under extreme pressure," Ponting said at the post-match press conference. 

"A captain makes decisions in a very short time, and the decision he takes he thinks is the best for the team at that given time of the match," he added. 

Further, Ponting admitted that the bowling and batting performance was below-par for the team, and the only positive for the team was Khaleel Ahmed, who finished with figures of 2/28. 

He added that a loss of this magnitude would mean the team must secure a big win in their next outing. 

"Our bowling was not up to the mark; similarly, our batting was very, very poor. There were not many positives to take from the match. The only positive was Khaleel Ahmed. He was outstanding with the ball again," said the DC head coach.

"To lose by 91 runs, it will put a huge dent in our net run rate. It means we need to bounce back really strongly in our next game."

In order to reach the playoffs, DC have to win their remaining three games. In their next league match, they will face the in-form Rajasthan Royals at DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai, on May 11.