Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant was disappointed over the nature of his side’s loss to Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022 on April 2 in Pune. The 24-year-old rued wickets falling at regular intervals through the run-chase as his team collapsed to 157/9, chasing a decent target of 172.
While experts felt the track in Pune was a touch on the slower side for this fixture, Pant said it was still good enough to be able to chase down Titans’ 171/6. But DC kept losing wickets and that eventually led to their downfall under pressure.
The likes of Mandeep Singh (18), Lalit Yadav (25), Rovman Powell (20) and Pant himself (43) got starts, but no one played that substantial enough innings, which would’ve propelled their team past the opposition.
“According to the wicket, that total was not so big, we could have batted better, especially in the middle overs. Because, in the powerplay, we lost two wickets, then in the middle overs we lost three wickets.”
“So, I think every match is going to be hard to come back after losing so many wickets. So, we have to work according to it, I guess.”
said Pant at the post-match presentation.
Lack of enough quality and depth was also DC’s problem on the night. While they managed quite well in the win against Mumbai Indians, the loss to Titans only laid bare the absence of David Warner at the top and an unsettled No.7 & No.8 in Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur, both known more for their bowling.
While Warner is expected to join the team in the coming days, how DC cover up their longstanding flaw down the order could well again decide their fortunes in the league this season.
Interestingly, DC’s loss was the second instance for the day where a team defending the score won after inaugural season winners Rajasthan Royals did so against five-time winners Mumbai Indians in the afternoon, reversing a trend of chasing sides winning the games.
Pant’s men next play on April 7 against tournament newcomers Lucknow Super Giants.
