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The Times of India
The Times of India
Sport
Arani Basu | TNN

IPL 2022, DC vs KKR: Delhi Capitals take fresh guard against Kolkata Knight Riders

It's time to regroup for Delhi Capitals. The first half of this year's IPL has been chaotic. Late arrivals of foreign players, a Covid-19 outbreak in the camp and controversial behaviour in the team dugout during their last game against Rajasthan Royals have all contributed to a hit-and-miss campaign so far.

They are seventh in the table and, on Thursday, are up against an equally inconsistent Kolkata Knight Riders who are languishing at No. 8, having played a game more than them.

The only difference between Capitals captain Rishabh Pant and KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer is that Iyer had all his resources at his disposal right through the tournament. This is where Capitals can turn a corner.

Mitchell Marsh and Tim Siefert, the two Covid-infected players, have returned to training after a week and so has head coach Ricky Ponting who was isolating after a family member had tested positive. Having Ponting around in the dugout could calm the nerves and avoid tempers get- ting the better of players in crunch situations like it did the other night.

"I know we're so close to turning it all around. The harder we try from here, the harder it's going to get. We're just going to stay nice and relaxed and keep repeating things we've been doing. And then results will definitely come our way. We are too good a team for the results not to change," Ponting said.

Assistant coach Shane Watson claimed that the disruption caused due to the Covid-19 outbreak has spurred the team. This is the time Capitals take fresh guard.

The scenario is clear: They have to win another five games out of their remaining seven to ensure a spot in the top-four. They had dominated KKR in their previous meeting. Since then, Iyer's men have struggled to find a rhythm and have lost four in a row.

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