Aoba Tanaka 
Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant believes his one-match suspension may have cost his team a spot in the IPL playoffs. Pant was sidelined for the must-win clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday due to a third slow-over rate offense, resulting in a one-match ban.
The absence of Rishabh Pant, a crucial player for the Capitals, was deeply felt as DC not only lost the game but also suffered a significant 47-run defeat. This loss impacted their net run rate, leaving their playoff hopes hanging by a thread as they await the outcomes of other matches.
“I wouldn’t say we would have definitely won the game if I had played. But we had a better chance of qualifying if I had a chance to play in the last game,” Pant said following DC’s 19-run win over Lucknow Super Giants.
Delhi Capitals had a rocky start to the season but managed to rally towards the end, strengthening their chances of making it to the knockouts. However, injuries to key players like veteran pacers Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, and opener David Warner further complicated their journey.
“We started the season with a lot of hope, but there were injuries, and ups and downs. But as a franchise, you can’t complain all the time; you have to make use of what you have… There are some things which you can control, but some things which you can’t,” Rishabh Pant added, reflecting on the season’s challenges.
On the other hand, Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul highlighted his team’s struggles with losing wickets in the powerplay as a significant factor hindering their performance.
“This has been a problem right through the season – we keep losing a lot of wickets in the powerplay, we never get a solid start to get the likes of Stoinis and Pooran in. That is the big reason why we are in this position,” Rahul noted.
As the Delhi Capitals await their fate, Pant’s reflections on the missed opportunity underscore the fine margins that define success in the IPL. The team remains hopeful but acknowledges the uncontrollable elements that have shaped their season.
This season’s ups and downs, compounded by key injuries and critical game losses, have put DC in a precarious position. Pant’s absence in the crucial match against RCB and the subsequent loss illustrate just how impactful one player’s presence can be on the team’s overall performance and playoff aspirations. Now, DC must rely on the outcomes of other matches to see if their late-season surge will be enough to secure a playoff spot.
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