Delhi Capitals are more suited to chasing the score: Nikhil Chopra

The Delhi Capitals (DC) are currently up against the challenge of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 32 of IPL 2022. Ahead of this fixture, the Rishabh Pant-led side had two wins in five appearances and they have been average so far in the tournament. Former Indian cricketer Nikhil Chopra discussed the form of the Capitals and shared his viewpoint on the recent Covid cases in their camp.

Chopra reckons it’s better for the Capitals to chase down the score, as their bowling unit is not strong enough. He said, after the injury Anrich Nortje has not been at his natural self. He stressed on the fact that, barring the spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, other pace bowlers do not have the capability to do well with the wet ball, especially in the second half of the game.

“In comparison to defending the total, chasing the score is most suited for them. After sustaining an injury, their key bowler Nortje has not been at his best and there are no proper pace-bowling options in times of dew during the night game. They, of course, have good spinners, but if the ball is wet, they would not be helpful for the team,” said Nikhil Chopra on Sky247.net presents ‘Not Just Cricket Show’ on CricTracker.

You can visualize in the hotel room as well: Nikhil Chopra on the lack of practice sessions for DC

Chopra answered the question on Delhi Capitals not having enough net practice sessions due to the Covid cases in their camp. He suggested the players can do visualizations themselves in the hotel room, whether it’s the bowler or the batter. He pointed out the error committed by Pant to bowl Kuldeep Yadav in the 20th over against RCB, and had a view that these types of strategies can be discussed over a video call as well. Chopra felt that it is of paramount importance that the players prepare their minds well ahead of the fixture to do well in pressure situations during the match.

“Their calculations got wrong when Kuldeep had to bowl the 20th over of the match. But, you have to visualize in the hotel room as well, like the batter can be in front of the mirror and see where your bat is coming through. A bowler can think of the lengths with the new ball during the powerplay overs,” said Chopra.

“If you are playing in front of 40-50 thousand people, and at that moment, you have to get into the subconscious mind, and everything starts happening. That’s when visualization and mind you have trained help to overcome the pressure situations. So a lot can happen in a hotel room,” Chopra added.

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