The 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will see the return of home-and-away format, which had to altered when the league was played in a bio-bubble during the Covid-19 pandemic. That also means there will be more travel involved for the teams over the next two months, which will be one of the tough parts according to Delhi Capitals' coach Ricky Ponting.
"It'll be harder on the players with much more travel in this IPL, but this is part and parcel of franchise cricket. I think more travelling makes the tournament more exciting. We'll get to play in a lot of different venues and in front of many different groups of fans," Ponting said in a media release issued by the franchise.
Delhi Capitals will be constantly on the move. In their schedule for the league stage, a pattern has emerged -- they play one match away, then one game at home and then travel for the next away game.
With no Rishabh Pant due to him recovering from his injuries post a serious car accident last year, David Warner, who led Sunrisers Hyderabad to the IPL title in 2016, will be Delhi's skipper. Ponting stated that he would like to have Pant in some capacity in the season and expressed confidence in Warner's leadership skills.
"I have spoken to Rishabh a bit. We are hoping to get him involved this season. I'd love to have him at all our home games. Having him in our dugout or our change room will be very special. However, David Warner will do a great job. He has been a successful franchise cricket captain in the past. He's excited to lead the team as well," he said.
The Australian also spoke about working with former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who is the director of cricket of the side.
"I have spoken to Sourav about the players we've got, possible line-ups, possible 'keepers and things like that. He has always got some good things to say to the players during training. It was a lot of fun to work with him in 2019 and we won a lot of games," said Ponting.
Delhi's opening game will be against Lucknow Super Giants on April 1.
(With agency inputs)
