Delhi Capitals assistant coach Mohammed Kaif believes that the team has the ability and team to win the IPL title. Capitals finished the last tournament as runners-up, losing the finals to Mumbai Indians by five wickets.
“We want to go one step further this year and that’s the Delhi Capitals team goal. We have the players to win the title. We were very close last year and the plus point for this season is that most of the players such as Rishabh Pant have been playing a lot of cricket. They have been in touch with the game and therefore they are in good rhythm going into the IPL,” said Kaif.
The former Indian batsman attended his first practice session with the team at the Cricket Club of India (CCI)in Mumbai on Saturday.
Kaif has said that the players are focussed on catching practice in the first session.
“The players have been carrying out batting and bowling drills in the last few days. As a coaching group, we decided to focus on fielding skills in today’s practice session. The players took some catches under lights. It was a great session. I got to meet many young players on the team and the experienced ones as well. I had a good chat with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane,” he said.
“I am looking forward to meeting Ricky in person. I have been in touch with him on the phone. We will chalk out a training plan with Ponting for the upcoming days once he joins the team on the field,” said Kaif.
Rishabh Pant will be leading the Delhi Capital side this time after their regular captain Shreyas Iyer was out of the tournament owing to injury. The 23-years old Pant will lead any high-prolific side for the first time in his career and all eyes will be on him on how he performs both as captain and player in this season of Indian Premier League.