All pieces should fall in line for a team to become champion: Iyer

Mohammad Abdullah, Staff Reporter

Skipper Shreyas Iyer is confident Delhi Capitals will better their best and break the jinx to lift the elusive IPL title in the UAE.

Delhi’s romanticism with the IPL trophy has been that of always a bridesmaid, but never a bride.

Their best finish  in the IPL has been in the 2019 season, when they fell just short of reaching their maiden final of the cricket spectacle.

“Unfortunately, Delhi is a team that has never made it to the IPL final and last year we were almost there. And that performance of 2019 gives all of us a tremendous self-belief. A belief that yes we can do it,” said Iyer in a video released by the IPL official website.

“All pieces of the puzzle need to fall in the right place for a team to become champions. We need many consistent performers in the tournament. The IPL is a long tournament and the results keep going up and down invariably.

“One thing that worked for us in the last season was how different players stepped up to the plate in each and every match on different occasions. And that was crucial for our success. It will be the key this year too. Having not only one consistent performers but many of them,” added Iyer.

He also elaborated how difficult it is going to be as a captain of an IPL team in this new normal.

“As a captain it is going to be one of the most important assignments just because how different the setting is.

Well it is going to be very different at every step.

“And I feel the key is to take one step at a time. We are being briefed about the dos and don’ts at every step and it is crucial that everyone who is a part of our bubble follows that.”

IPL-13 has been shifted out of India due to a spike in the coronavirus cases in a country of one billion plus. But the teams arriving in the UAE have to follow strict security norms. They had to complete a mandatory quarantine period of seven days before stepping out of the room.

“I am extremely excited to get back on the field and I am sure the rest of the players are feeling the same. The last few months have been in quarantine and I have got a little bit of shallow practice here and there.

“But coming on the ground, it is going to be a completely different feeling. It is certainly very, very different from last season but the challenge is exciting,” he explained.

Iyer will be leading a team that features many experienced customers like veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, swashbuckling batsman Shikhar Dhawan and India’s Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane. Iyers was full of adulation for the seniors and expressed his delight on having them in the team.

“Ashwin and Rahane add depth to our side. They are the individuals, who are highly experienced and have a great knowledge of cricket. They have captained IPL sides. For me it is an opportunity to use their experience and reach out to them whenever I need,” he added.

He also praised coach Ricky Ponting for his guidance and contribution in the team.

“Our brand of cricket has been aggressive and passionate. And that is how we are as a team – passionate about cricket and think as a team even off the field. I think that gives us a tremendous depth.

“It gives Ricky and me the options of being flexible with playing XI depending on where we are playing and who our opposition is. And how we are placed in a tournament at a particular point of time,” explained the stylish batsman.

“I feel very blessed to have been given this opportunity to work alongside Ricky. He is such a legend and makes everyone from the seniormost guy to a novice feel at home. As a captain he gives me freedom and that has helped me grow as a cricketer.”

He also lamented the absence of fans from the stadium. He urged them to root for Delhi from wherever they are.

“It is going to be a different IPL. No doubt. We will be without our fans at the stadium and that will make us only extra motivated. I know they will be watching us and rooting for us from home, we really want to do this for the fans,” he concluded.