Venugopal Rao replaces Sourav Ganguly as Delhi Capitals’ director of cricket for next two years
Former India batter Hemang Badani has been named new head coach of Delhi Capitals (DC) for IPL 2025.
Having suffered a four-wicket loss in the opening match, Delhi Capitals is hopeful of bouncing back as they take on Rajasthan Royals in their second match of the IPL at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Thursday.
Talking about the opening match, Delhi Capitals’ Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly stated, “It’s just the early part of the tournament. We worked hard before the season, and hopefully, we will play well. The first game in Chandigarh didn’t go our way because we lost Ishant, but that’s the way it is in T20s. It’s a new game tomorrow.”
DC’s opponents Rajasthan Royals have started their IPL 2024 campaign with a 20-run win over Lucknow Super Giants.
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About the match against the home side, Ganguly said, “They are a good team, there’s no doubt about it. Our record against them is also good over the years. When you play the same teams over and over again every year, there will be times when you lose and there will be times when you win, so it’s a new day tomorrow. We have the players who can perform, and hopefully will do it tomorrow.”
About strengths and the areas Delhi Capitals are aiming to improve upon, the former India Captain said, “We are full strength now, with Nortje back in the side. With Nortje, Khaleel, Mukesh and Ishant back in the team and fit, and with the two spinners Axar and Kuldeep, our bowling is definitely our strength.
“With Rishabh back as well, the batting has got stronger than what it was last year because in IPL if you lose a major Indian player, it becomes a big hole to fill.”
“What needs to get better is we need to bat well, and if you do it, you will win a lot of matches because we do have that bowling,” he added.
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