Had good momentum in the first half but it's a different season altogether, need to start afresh: DC Assistant Coach

Ajay Ratra also said the franchise is constantly in touch with head coach Ricky Ponting and bowling coach James Hopes via Zoom calls.

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Delhi Capitals
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Delhi Capitals. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Delhi Capitals are currently sitting pretty in the first position in the Indian Premier League (IPL) points table. Led by maverick wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, the franchise won six games and are looking poised to make the playoffs when the second half of the 14th edition of IPL resumes in the UAE from September 19. The Capitals have reached Dubai and have begun preparations for the same.

Assistant coach Ajay Ratra is currently overlooking things in the absence of Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting, who is set to join the squad soon. The former India wicketkeeper-batter believes the team has enough time to get back into the rhythm before they begin their campaign on September 22 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) .

“It’s a different season altogether, generally it happens in full flow, and we had good momentum in the first half. Now that it’s happening after a break, so we will have to start afresh, and that’s why our franchise has organized this camp a little early. We do have sufficient time to get back into the rhythm we had in the first half of the competition, and fortunately, most of our players have been playing international cricket,” said Ratra.

He further opined that a longish break does make a difference but also sounded optimistic of the core players playing at top level being already in good rhythm heading into the UAE leg of IPL. “Even in Test cricket, sometimes it becomes difficult to find the rhythm after lunch breaks. So, breaks do make a difference.”

“However, as I said before, we still have time, and most of our core players are playing international cricket, so they might be already in a good rhythm. Whereas, those who are coming from a long break are utilizing this camp. We have been spending more time with our domestic players, and there are good facilities here, so we will hopefully find our rhythm soon,” he added.

We are constantly in touch with Ricky Ponting and James Hopes: Ajay Ratra

When quizzed on whether the franchise is in touch with Ricky Ponting and bowling coach James Hopes, Ratra said they are constantly in touch and keeping the duo updated via Zoom calls.

“Yes, we have been in touch with Ricky and Hopes. We do Zoom calls with Delhi Capitals management regularly, and everyone from the coaching staff attends it, including our strength and conditioning coach Rajinikanth Sivagnanam, physios Dhananjay Kaushik and Patrick Farhart.”

“We usually discuss the kind of practice regimes we need to set. Also, when this camp started Pravin Bhai (Pravin Amre) presented the whole plan to Ricky and all the other coaches. Similarly, I shared fielding plans for this camp with everyone,” Ratra concluded.

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