Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting expressed confidence in his team’s ability to turn their season around after a series of early losses in IPL 2026, stating that the squad has “figured it out” following recent performances. The comments came after Delhi secured a crucial victory over Rajasthan Royals, marking their second win in five matches.
Ponting, who has led the franchise since 2022, emphasized improvements in both batting depth and death bowling execution as key factors behind the positive shift. His remarks were made during a post-match press conference held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on April 12, 2026, following the team’s 6-wicket win.
The Capitals had started the season with losses to Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings, raising concerns about their top-order consistency and ability to defend totals. However, a half-century by David Warner and a late surge from Rilee Rossouw helped Delhi post 184/5 against Rajasthan, which their bowlers then defended effectively.
Speaking to reporters, Ponting said, “We’ve figured it out. The boys are backing each other, and we’re seeing the impact of the work we’ve put in behind the scenes.” He specifically cited the role of assistant coach Shane Watson in refining the team’s approach to middle-overs batting and wrist-spin variations in the death overs.
Delhi’s bowling unit, spearheaded by Kuldeep Yadav and Anrich Nortje, has shown marked improvement in recent games, conceding under 8 runs per over in the death overs across their last three matches. According to ESPNcricinfo stats tracked through April 13, 2026, Delhi Capitals have improved their death-over economy from 9.2 in the first two games to 7.8 in the subsequent three.
The franchise has similarly benefited from the return of Prithvi Shaw to full fitness, who scored 45 off 28 balls in the win over Rajasthan after missing the opening fixtures due to a side strain. Shaw’s return has provided stability at the top, allowing Warner to play more freely.
Delhi Capitals sit seventh in the IPL 2026 points table with four points from five games, just outside the top four. Their next match is scheduled against Lucknow Super Giants on April 16, 2026, at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
With the halfway point of the league stage approaching, Ponting stressed the importance of maintaining momentum. “Every game now feels like a knockout. We know what we demand to do, and we’re ready to do it consistently,” he added.
As the tournament progresses, Delhi will seem to build on their recent form and address lingering concerns about powerplay scoring, which has averaged just 38 runs in the first six overs across five matches.
For continued updates on IPL 2026 matches, team performances, and expert analysis, readers are encouraged to follow official tournament channels and trusted sports news platforms.
