The 2020 runners-up grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory in Mumbai and the head coach delivered a balanced view on the performance in the aftermath
Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting issued an inspiring rallying call to his players following the narrow defeat to Rajasthan Royals in Mumbai.
The 2020 runners-up were denied a second win in a row after failing to defend 148.
Capitals put on a useful 147 for 8 from their 20 overs and looked likely to convert the position of strength into a win after reducing Royals to 104 for 7.
But some poor-decision making from captain Rishabh Pant and failure to hit the right areas at the death allowed Chris Morris to power RR to an unlikely win with two balls remaining.
But Ponting was unperturbed and hailed his side's mental fortitude which almost delivered a second win on the bounce.
📽️ | @RickyPonting's Dressing Room speech after #RRvDC 👉🏻 Leave it to the Boss to lift up the spirits of the DC boys with all the positives from an absolute thriller 💙#YehHaiNayiDilli #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/JRAkkSssE7
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) April 17, 2021
"What we talk about in this group is never being beaten and always being in the contest and we did that magnificently tonight," the former Australia captain said in a video posted on the DC Twitter account.
"In fact, up until about the 16th over mark, I thought we had them, and that says a lot about us as a group. No matter how badly we play, until they hit the winning run, we are never out of the game.
"Brilliant once again it was really. [Chris] Woakes, your first two overs, mate, were awesome; 2 for 8 off the first two, we needed you to do that and stay in the game.
He added: "So, for most of the day, we did lots of things really well, but the game got away. But I got to walk out with a lot of positives out of today, right? We didn't play very well. We got beaten with two balls to spare. So, there are so many good things to take out of it. All of our skills are in a great place.
"I reckon we're off a little bit with the way we approach the game which we can work on but there are so many good things going forward."
Capitals have the chance to bounce back from the defeat against Punjab Kings on Sunday (April 18).
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