After an uneven season filled with spectacular highs and lows, Ian Bell, assistant coach of the Delhi Capitals, stated on Saturday that his team is dissatisfied by the “small margins” that separated them from a “top-two” finish.
On Sunday, Delhi will play their last league game of the season against Kolkata Knight Riders, but depending on other events, their limited chances of making the playoffs may already be gone.
DC would be eliminated if the Punjab Kings defeated the Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday, and KKR would be eliminated if the Rajasthan Royals defeated the Mumbai Indians on Sunday.
Bell cited two games that had the potential to drastically change Delhi’s season: the one-run loss to Gujarat Titans after narrowly missing a 211-run chase, and the shocking defeat to Punjab Kings despite scoring the season’s highest total of 264/2, only to have PBKS pull off a world record chase.
“Most teams outside the top four will probably say the same thing — consistency. We’ve shown this season that we can score 265 (264/2) and then follow it up by getting bowled out for 70 (75). We scored 265 (264/2) and still couldn’t defend it. There were times when we were brilliant, and there were times when we simply weren’t good enough,” PTI quoted Bell as saying.
With 12 points from 13 games, DC is now seventh in the standings and has a slim chance of qualifying for the playoffs. Bell claimed that despite having enough talent to rank among the best teams this season, the team missed important opportunities.
“In the IPL, when opportunities come against good teams, you have to take them. I think that’s where we have to be honest with ourselves — we didn’t grab those key moments.
“We lost to Gujarat Titans off the last ball. Against Punjab, we made 265 and still lost. Turn those results around and, if we win tomorrow, suddenly we are on 18 points and talking about a top-two finish.”
Bell described the IPL as a competition determined by the “finest margins” and claimed that this made it the world’s hardest and most lucrative league.
“That’s why players and coaches want to be here — highest pressure, best players in the world, biggest fan base, best stadiums. But the margins are so small that you cannot afford to let moments slip.”
“At times we were guilty of not seeing games through. Two different results and we are comfortably in the top four. You have to be ruthless in these opportunities,” he said.
Bell also rejected claims that players are experiencing “insecurity” because to uncertainties about the Delhi Capitals’ ownership structure.
The GMR and JSW groups would exchange operational management of the men’s and women’s teams in two-year cycles, with the present cycle ending after this season, the franchise had declared prior to the IPL 2025 mega auction. Bell, meanwhile, maintained that there had been no conversation about it in the dressing room.
“From a player or coaching staff point of view, we’ve only focused on trying to win games of cricket. Those ownership matters are outside our control and outside our jobs. I haven’t heard it mentioned once in the playing group or among the staff. The team spirit has been excellent, the players have worked hard and looked after each other,” he said.
Bell stated that the group could still have a positive attitude in spite of the unsuccessful campaign.
“We can all look in the mirror and say we’ve given everything to the badge and the shirt. We’ve loved representing Delhi Capitals this season. And hopefully, if it’s not this year, Delhi Capitals win it next year, regardless of who is making the decisions.”
Bell also praised their opener, KL Rahul, who was named vice-captain of the India Test team and claimed to have improved his strike rate this season.
“I think his strike rates have gone through the roof. He’s been awesome for us, as I said, on and off the field, absolutely fantastic.”
