Delhi Capitals (DC) returned to winning ways after three successive losses when they aced a big chase against Rajasthan Royals in their previous game, and the inclusion of a genuine legend of the game may have something to do with it.
Mitchell Starc played for the first time this season in Jaipur, and his three wickets – one in the first over and two towards the end of the innings – kept the total to something which DC could chase down.
Bowling coach Munaf Patel was relieved to have Starc at his disposal, especially after his team failed to defend 264 against the Punjab Kings. “It’s vital to have a wicket-taker inside the Powerplay, as that’s key to prevent a team from getting a really big score. Early wickets change the scenario completely,” the former India seamer said on the eve of the game against Chennai Super Kings.
Not only does Starc get wickets himself, but he also helps those around him get better. “Bowling partnerships are key, and that’s what was missing for us in the previous matches. He’s the captain of our bowling unit, and his presence gives confidence to the other players,” Munaf said.
In this season’s IPL, which has turned into a prolonged run-fest, bowlers can quickly get demoralised, especially if results don’t go their way. In such a case, the role of the bowling coach becomes important, but Munaf admits there’s only so much he can do.
“I try to motivate them, but once they go on the ground, they are on their own. I can’t do anything if they don’t bowl to their strengths and don’t target a batter’s weakness,” he said.
The adverse results in the middle of the campaign have ensured that DC has little wriggle room now, as Munaf admits that the “relax mode” is over. But if the wickets in the latter half of the campaign slow down as the sun beats down and start to aid spin more, he believes that could be to his team’s advantage.
“We have two of the best spinners going around (Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav). So, if the wickets get tired, it would be better for us,” he said, though he felt there won’t be much change.
With South African pacer Lungi Ngidi available after banging his head on the ground a little over a week ago, DC again have their full complement of bowling resources. Kyle Jamieson shared the new ball with Starc in the last game, but the four-foreigner rule imposes its own limitations on team composition.
“Two of our seamers – Aquib Nabi and Mukesh Kumar – are new-ball bowlers. Juggling our resources forced us to leave out David Miller for the last game,” Munaf added.
