Hemang Badani, the head coach of the Delhi Capitals, stated on Monday that T20 cricket is about “impact” rather than consistency. He also confirmed that captain Axar Patel is fit for the IPL match against Sunrisers Hyderabad and praised his batters’ game-winning performances.
Despite a few failures, Badani dismissed worries over Delhi’s batting inconsistency, stating that the squad was still happy with its approach.
“If I have to answer this in a nutshell, this format does not rely on consistency. It relies on impact. It relies on seizing the moment. It relies on stepping up when it really matters. And I think we have done that,” PTI quoted Badani saying ahead of the match.
“I think we have consistently stuck to the process. Results will come, will not come. But we are happy with the way we are going. Even if you speak of the couple of losses that we have had, one I think the whole world knows that with that Miller one run, things could have been very different. The other game was the only game that we speak of, the one that is against CSK,” he added.
Badani firmly supported Sameer Rizvi, citing the batter’s ability to come up with good knocks at pivotal times.
“If somebody has won you two games single-handedly… first game this year was a man-of-the-match, second game this year was a man-of-the-match, I am happy with it.
“He is in a great space. I mean, this format, if somebody has won you two games single-handedly, he has actually got three man-of-the-matches from last year. I don’t think many of you would remember that the last game that he played for us was a man-of-the-match,” Badani said.
Additionally, he affirmed that captain Axar Patel’s fitness was not a problem.
“All good. He is fit to play,” he said.
In response to criticism following Delhi’s close defeat to Gujarat Titans, Badani backed veteran David Miller, saying the South African had demonstrated strong character in the victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who were defeated by DC thanks to two crucial sixes in the last over.
“I still believe that he has taken the right call… We trust in you. And he has literally shown us the faith within two games,” he said.
“I understand that everyone has an opinion. But to come out of that, I think he has shown character. And I think the world sees that he is somebody who can finish games. He has done that in the past. And we believe in him.
“And if you go back and see the visuals and the way we backed him even after that one run loss, the conversation from the captain to the coach, to the management, to the players was straightforward. It is absolutely okay, it can happen.”
According to Badani, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s extremely aggressive strategy may potentially present Delhi’s bowlers with opportunities due to their high-risk approach.
“When you have a high-risk side, it also gives you a chance to pick wickets,” he said, adding Delhi had “possibly been the best bowling side right now.
“I think if you go back and see the stats and the numbers, which pretty much tells you that we have possibly been the best bowling side right now. And when you have a high risk side, it also means that it gives you a chance to pick wickets.
“So it is pretty much a case of them sticking to their style of play. But I think it augurs well for us also that if someone wants to go high risk, it also gives them the chance to pick wickets.”
Additionally, Badani expressed confidence in Delhi’s team in what he called a high-scoring venue and stated that there had been “zero conversation” about changing Tristan Stubbs’ role.
