My job here is to win the IPL, says Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting

Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting is hopeful that the new-look side can finally change the fortunes of the franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Delhi have been one of the most underperforming teams in the history of the league so far. After managing to do decently in the first three seasons, the national capital-based outfit has struggled for consistency, ending up with the wooden spoon more often than not.

Along with the Kings XI Punjab and the Royal Challengers Bangalore, they are one of the only three teams to have never won the IPL title. In fact, they are the only team in the competition to have never qualified for the final of the tournament. Since making it to the playoffs in 2012, Delhi have not finished above sixth. Last season, they ended up with the wooden spoon once again after winning just 5 of their 14 games.

However, there is a sense of excitement in the air this season. The franchise has brought some wholesome changes. From changing the name of the squad, changing the jersey, bringing in some of their former players while also roping in some retired cricketers as backroom staff, the franchise is doing all it can to trigger a turnaround. Before the start of the season, they roped in the former India skipper Sourav Ganguly as an advisor, thus making it clear how desperate they are to do well.

“With our franchise, the Delhi Capitals, it has been a bit of a changing of guard – we have new co-owners in the JSW and GMR Groups, a new name for the team; it is a total rebrand. We do also have quite a few changes in the management and the squad. But I feel it’s a really exciting time for our team and it is all going to add up into a really good, successful campaign for the Capitals,” Ponting wrote in his column for the Sportstar.

I’ve got great expectations from this group of players

Ricky Ponting, who has won the IPL as coach of Mumbai Indians, further made it crystal clear that he is eyeing the IPL title with the team. The legendary batsman further added that he expects the team to go all the way in the competition.

“Personally, I’ve got great expectations from this group of players, and during the team meetings, I have made it clear that my job here is to win the IPL. I did say that last year as well, but it didn’t pan out the way we would’ve wanted it to. But at the end of the day, even with the last season being a disappointing one, we were only that one win away from actually making the playoffs, which is the way this tournament always goes. So, I expect that we can win,” he further wrote.

Here’s Delhi Capitals squad for the IPL 2019:

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