IPL 2024: Ricky Ponting confident of 'sensible' Axar Patel's ability to lead Delhi Capitals

Having earned a crucial win in their previous outing, the Delhi Capitals will look to keep the momentum going when they take on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their penultimate league stage match of the IPL 2024 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, May 12.

With Rishabh Pant set to miss due to slow-over rate suspension, Axar Patel will lead the team. Addressing the pre-match press conference on Saturday, the Delhi Capitals' Head Coach Ricky Ponting said, "He (Axar) has been Vice-Captain at this franchise for the last couple of seasons. A very experienced IPL player, an experienced international player, a sensible guy, understands the game really well. He's excited about it. We started talking about it a couple of days ago when there was a possibility that Rishabh might be banned."

Also read: IPL 2024: Rishabh Pant suspended for the match against RCB over slow over rate

"He's got his head around it. We've done our bowlers' meetings today. He'll catch up with all the guys tonight, go through all the plans and make sure that he's ready to lead the team well tomorrow," he added.

Delhi Capitals are placed fifth in the points table with 12 points in 12 matches, while the hosts are on a four-match winning streak. When asked if the game will be a tough or equal fight, the DC Head Coach said, "They're all tough games in the IPL. If you wind the clock back two weeks, RCB weren't playing anywhere near their best. And, now, they probably played as well as anybody in the tournament."

"I'll put a case forward as well to say that what we've done as a team in the last seven games has been as impressive as anyone in the tournament. We've won five of our last seven, and we've made some huge scores along the way. There are no excuses from us tomorrow, regardless of Pant not being in the lineup. If we turn up and play our best game, then I know that the Delhi Capitals will be very hard to beat tomorrow," he added.

Also read: IPL Points Table 2024

While touching upon the team combination in Pant's absence, Ponting also gave an update on David Warner's fitness.

"David Warner missed the last game, he got that nasty knock on his hand about a month ago now and hasn't played a game since. He trained really strongly yesterday, he'll be out hitting balls in the middle now, so he'll be doing some more batting today. Hopefully, he's available for selection for tomorrow," he said.