Delhi Capitals suffered a crushing 50-run defeat in their opening match of IPL 2023 against Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday, and the team’s bowling and fielding effort left chief coach Ricky Ponting extremely disappointed.
“To be totally honest, I think they (LSG) got more runs than we probably expected. Our fielding after the first four overs was really sloppy, a couple of chances went down, misfields,” said Ponting in the post-match press conference.
Kyle Mayers‘ 38-ball 73 powered LSG to 193/6, which was followed by Mark Wood taking 5/14 to limit Delhi to 143/9.
Lucknow batters took 16 sixes off Delhi bowlers, while LSG top-scorer Kyle Mayers was also let off once by the team led by David Warner in the absence of Rishabh Pant, who is recuperating from the injuries suffered in a car crash last December.
Ponting, the former Australian skipper, added LSG scored more runs than he expected, chiefly because of the profligacy of his bowlers.

“One of the chances that went down was (that of) Mayers. He went on a run after that, which put us behind in the game a little bit,” conceded Ponting.
“The thing with giving chances in IPL cricket, giving very good players a second opportunity (can be catastrophic). And he (Mayers) cashed in pretty much from that moment. He hit everything on the middle. He attacked our spin, which he played really well.
“So that’s just a good lesson for us. We know we have to be really sharp in the field. We can’t afford to put chances down and, if you do, you have to expect that they (opposition) are gonna make you pay.”
The Australian legend said giving away 16 maximums is something that does peg a team back, from where it is difficult to bounce back.

“I think we conceded 16 sixes in our bowling innings. So, that goes to show they (DC bowlers) were a fair bit off with the execution of their bowling. I think whenever you are giving away 16 sixes and there were only five fours, it is quite remarkable.”
“So whenever you are giving that many, it’s going to be hard to drag yourself back into the game,” he added.
The coach also said that it wasn’t a 190-plus wicket and batting second, his team was still well placed to chase down the target, given the dew factor. But Wood’s fast and furious bowling put paid to their hopes.
“Looking at the wicket, I dont think it was a 190-plus wicket. There was a lot of dew there. If anything, it was probably better for us batting second. There are a few reasons why we lost this game and we will address those and hopefully improve for our next one,” said Ponting.

“Wood was outstanding. He bowled the way we though he’d bowl. We knew he would run in and bowl fast, attack the stumps and use his bouncers. That’s what he did. He used his bouncers really well and he is a world-class fast bowler.
“I think, as this tournament goes on, and if he stay fit, you’ll see him bowl some really fast spells,” added Ponting.
Delhi’s next game is against Gujarat Titans on April 4.
(With agency inputs)