‘Probably a mistake on our behalf’ – Ponting rues not completing Ashwin’s quota

Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting admitted that not bowling out Ravi Ashwin was a tactical error on his team’s part in the match against Rajasthan Royals on Thursday, April 15. At the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Ashwin turned out to be the most economical bowler for the Capitals as he conceded only 14 runs in his three overs at a frugal economy rate of 4.70.

Though couldn’t get a wicket, the off-spinner was able to keep a check on the Royals’ batters. But after the 11th over, skipper Rishabh Pant didn’t introduce him into the attack. Ponting said that the Capitals would be going back to the drawing board after their three-wicket defeat.

I thought he bowled beautifully: Ricky Ponting

“That’s certainly something that we will talk about when I get a chance to sit down with the team. He had bowled beautifully. Three overs, none for 14. Hadn’t even conceded a boundary. He had a disappointing game in game one, but he has worked really hard in the last few days to make sure he adjusted and got things right in this game.

“I thought he bowled beautifully tonight. Probably a mistake on our behalf, and something we will be talking about later on,” Ponting was quoted as saying after the match.

In the game against RR, DC made two changes, bringing in Lalit Yadav and Kagiso Rabada while leaving out Shimron Hetmyer and Amit Mishra. Ponting also admitted that Axar Patel’s unavailability has affected the team balance to some extent.

“At the moment with Axar Patel not available for selection, our balance is out a little bit, so we tried to sort of mix and match things a little bit today. We also wanted to give Lalit Yadav an opportunity and show us what he’s capable of in the middle,” Ponting added.

After scoring a seemingly under-par 147 in their 20 overs, the Capitals bowlers came out all guns blazing. They reduced Sanju Samson and Co to 42 for five in the 10th over.

However, Chris Morris’s unbeaten 18-ball 36 and David Miller’s 43-ball 62 denied the Capitals a victory. DC’s next IPL game is against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 18.