New Delhi: After Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Delhi Capitals have become the second team to secure a berth in the playoffs in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The Delhi-based franchise had last reached the playoffs seven years ago. But after that there was a steep decline in their performance for the next six seasons. In 2013 and 2014, DC (which was then Delhi Daredevils) finished at the bottom of the points table. In 2015, the Delhi franchise ended their campaign at the seventh spot and in the next two years, they moved to a slightly more respectable sixth position.
In 2018, Delhi Daredevils had a nightmarish campaign as Gautam Gambhir stepped down in the middle of the tournament after the team had a poor start. Iyer was made the captain but he could not reverse the team’s fortune and again they finished last in the points table.
However, Sunday, Delhi defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 16 runs, here at the Feroz Shah Kotla to make it to the playoffs.
“This is an amazing feeling. Before the start of the tournament we wanted to qualify, so we are really satisfied and happy now that we have qualified,” Iyer said.
Iyer further said one of the things that has worked for his team is not to interfere with the game plans of both batsmen and bowlers.
“It’s really important to let the bowlers do their job and not interfere, same is the case with the batsmen. In every game, individuals have chipped in with handy contributions and taken the team over the line,” he said.
He said that before the start of the tournament, the team was termed as underdogs and now, that they have proved everyone wrong, they are really happy. “We were termed as the underdogs before the start of the tournament and before the start of every match we think the same.”
Despite sitting pretty at the top of the table with 16 points, the DC skipper said his team will play with the same intensity in the remaining matches and will go for the kill. “We are going to maintain the same intensity and mindset for the rest of the tournament,” he said.
IANS