'We tried to back our strength to bat first and score big' - DC bowling coach James Hopes explains decision versus KKR

Delhi Capitals (DC) bowling coach James Hopes explained the rationale behind the decision to bat first against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the one-sided Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 encounter on Monday, April 29.

The former Australian all-rounder said that Delhi wanted to stick to their strength of batting first and putting big totals on the board. In their last two games against Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians, the Capitals registered scores of 224/4 and 254/4 respectively.

They went on to beat the Titans by four runs before picking up a ten-run win against Mumbai. However, against the Knights, Rishabh Pant's men were restricted to a below-par total of 153/9 in their 20 overs after opting to bat first. Kolkata romped home with seven wickets and 21 balls to spare, riding on Phil Salt's scintillating knock of 68 off 33 balls.

"The thought process behind it was, we were having some success while trying to put big scores on the board and trying to defend it.. I think we knew that there was not going to be much dew, which there wasn't, there was barely any dew," Hopes was quoted as saying by India Today. 

Also Read: ‘No one bats first in Kolkata’ - Aakash Chopra questions Rishabh Pant’s decision against KKR

We didn't understand quick enough that, yes, the wicket was sticking for the spinners: James Hopes

Hopes admitted that the Delhi batters took a little too long to realise that the balls were holding onto the surface for the spinners. Sunil Narine bowled four overs for 24 runs and picked up a solitary wicket. However, Varun Chakaravarthy was the star of the show, having finished with remarkable figures of 3/16 in his four overs.

"We might have stayed a little bit too high and didn't understand quick enough that, yes, the wicket was sticking for the spinners. They (KKR) had pretty good spinners and maybe the 210 score was more realistic and more defendable. We lost some wickets a bit too down the lower order," Hopes stated.

The 45-year-old felt that 200 would have been a good score after the Capitals finished the powerplay with 67 runs on the board for the loss of three wickets.

"We knew when we were going to be batting that we have to get a score too in the front of it. Maybe after our powerplay, which was still thought 200 was possible after the powerplay. We were 3 for 68 after the powerplay," Hopes added.

Also Read: IPL 2024 Qualification Scenarios: How can Delhi Capitals qualify for playoffs after loss against KKR in Match 47?

Kolkata stayed at No. 2 in the points table with a comfortable win against Delhi. They have six wins from nine matches so far. Meanwhile, the Capitals squandered the chance to move into the second position and remained at No. 6, with five wins and six losses from 11 games.