It was a disappointing day for Delhi Cricket as they suffered a thumping defeat against Pondicherry in the first fixture of the Ranji Trophy this season at home. Pondicherry won by 9 wickets chasing a target of 50.
Pondicherry bowlers thoroughly dominated the Delhi batting unit and bowled them out for 148 and 145 in the first and second innings respectively.
Head coach Devang Gandhi expressed disappointment with the side’s performance and admitted that visitors outplayed the hosts in all the departments.
“The preparations were good. It’s just that they beat us in all aspects. They played really well in all the departments and outplayed us. When they bowled in the first innings, the conditions were really good, it was a fresh wicket. So, they got a lot of help on the first day and they bowled in the right areas,” said the former India cricketer.
The coach further added that his side failed to put up big scores in both the innings and that cost them the game.
“We should have been a little bit more tough. I think the idea should have been to play the spells out (in the second innings). That’s where we lacked. But I think we will come back stronger in the upcoming matches. Of course, it is a tough loss to swallow.”
“When you have runs behind you, it always creates an additional pressure on the opposition. We never put up a big score. So, obviously, the pressure was on the bowlers. When you are chasing a small target, the job becomes much easier. Had we got a lead of 150 in the second innings, it would have been a different ball game altogether,” he added.
The former national selector also credited the Pondicherry bowlers for bowling in the right areas and making good use of the conditions.
“I think we could have handled them (Pondicherry bowlers) better. They bowled well, I’m not taking away any credits from them but we could have batted better than we did actually.”
Changes on the cards for the next game
Delhi will be travelling to Jammu for their next game slated to begin on January 12 against J&K. Navdeep Saini will be with India ‘A’ side and won’t be available for the second match, and Ishant Sharma isn’t available for the away games.
“I think, Ishant (Sharma) is not available for the away games. We will have to see. There are youngsters in the squad. The selectors will be able to give you a better idea about who is going to replace them,” Gandhi said.
‘We need to make a stronger comeback’
Coach Gandhi is well aware of the fact that the defeat against Pondicherry is a massive loss and the team needs to make a stronger comeback and show character.
“We will have to come back with a stronger resolve, I feel. We can make some changes. At the moment, I’m not being able to tell you that but we need to show a lot of more character,” he said.
Delhi fielded two makeshift openers and they looked all at sea against the moving ball in both innings. While Yash Dhull has opened in the past, wicketkeeper-batter Lakshay Thareja has batted in the middle-order for most of his age-group career. The coach defended the move and said “At times, it’s about combinations”.
“Yash (Dhull) has got runs as an opener. Moreover, we got a 50-run start in the second innings. So, at times, it’s about combinations. You have to go by what is good for the team. But we will see what combination we play going ahead. We will see what kind of wicket we are playing on in Jammu & Kashmir and then we will take a call. The injured players are still in the process of getting fit,” he concluded.
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