Shreyas Iyer will lead Delhi Capitals in the right way during IPL 2020: Shikhar Dhawan

The IPL franchise Delhi Capitals had a monumental season last year as they finished third on the points table, their first outing in the semi-finals after the 2012 season. The franchise opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan believes that the team will carry forward the momentum gained and will win its maiden IPL title in the 2020 edition of the league.

The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League is all set to kick-start from September 19, with the final to take place on November 10 across three venues namely Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. The Delhi Capitals squad will kick off their campaign for this season against the KL Rahul-led Kings XI Punjab on September 20 in Dubai.

“As a team, we are looking forward to the tournament. We are really confident and are building a great bond. We are all coming back to cricket now, and are already creating that energy, and creating that bond within the team.

I feel the trust is also very good between all of us, and I think we have a very balanced side which can do well in the conditions here in UAE. We are confident that we are going to take the cup this season,” Dhawan said as quoted by News 18.

We will focus on a good overall team performance: Shikhar Dhawan

Showering praises on their skipper Shreyas Iyer, Dhawan asserted that Iyer has an open mind and is always willing to learn from both his seniors and juniors. The batsman further stated that the experience of new additions namely Ajinkya Rahane and Ravichandran Ashwin in the squad will help the young captain.

“Last season he (Iyer) led in a very nice manner, and with (Ravichandran) Ashwin, Ajinkya (Rahane) coming in with their experience, I think they will share their insights, and it can be really helpful for the team. I think Shreyas has an open mind to learn from both seniors and juniors, and he will lead us in the right way,” Dhawan reckoned.

Further in the interaction, the left-hander commented on how the pitches will turn and get slower as the tournament proceeds. He also mentioned about the balanced squad the franchise has for their 2020 campaign. They have great depth in their batting line-up with the likes of Dhawan, Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Shimron Hetmyer and Marcus Stoinis.

The bowling department also looks lethal with the presence of Indian spinners like Amit Mishra and Axar Patel, Ashwin along with pacers like Ishant Sharma, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje.

“With only three venues being used and lots of matches happening, I think during the course of the season, wickets will turn and get slower, and that’s where our great spinners in Ashwin, Sandeep, Amit, and Axar will help us. Their experience will be really valuable. Not just our bowling, but our batting goes deep, so we will focus on a good overall team performance throughout. The whole team has to play well – that is our focus, and if we are able to do that, we can become champions,” said the 34-year-old.

As the tournament will be played in just three venues, the team will save a lot of their travel time. When asked if this will benefit the batsmen, Shikhar revealed that it will solely depend on the pitches as if the pitches have wear and tear, then it becomes difficult to score big.

“Not traveling much will definitely help us in avoiding fatigue and being able to recover quickly between matches. When you say it might be easier for batsmen, it depends on the pitches. If the pitches aren’t good and have wear and tear then it becomes difficult – to score off the bowlers and at a quick rate,” Dhawan concluded.