Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant has candidly reflected on his team's narrow miss of the IPL 2024 playoffs, pinpointing a lack of consistent performance throughout the full 20 overs as their Achilles' heel this season. Despite a strong finish, including a crucial win over Lucknow Super Giants in their final league match, DC's fate was sealed by earlier inconsistencies and a less-than-ideal Net Run Rate (NRR).
"If you look at our season, 20 overs won't save you in T20s, that's been our story," Pant stated, summing up their campaign. He elaborated that while the team showed flashes of brilliance and fought hard, they often failed to maintain momentum or capitalize on key moments for the entire duration of an innings, whether batting or bowling.
"We had better chances of qualifying, but when you look back, the little things, the small mistakes in some matches, hurt us," Pant admitted. He pointed to several close games where Delhi couldn't seal the deal, which ultimately impacted their NRR and playoff aspirations. He felt that the team often found themselves in strong positions but couldn't sustain that level of play for the full 20 overs, leading to setbacks.
For Pant personally, the season marked a triumphant return to competitive cricket after a life-threatening car accident in December 2022. He expressed satisfaction with his own form and fitness. "It was a different feeling [this season]. I was happy with the way I came back after a year and a half. This was the thing I was looking forward to... But the team not qualifying is one thing that will always be there [as a disappointment]," he shared.
Despite the overall team disappointment, Pant's successful comeback as a wicketkeeper-batsman and captain was a significant silver lining for Delhi Capitals and Indian cricket. However, his honest assessment highlights the demanding nature of T20 cricket, where sustained excellence across all 40 overs of a match is crucial for success.
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