DC have the players to win the title: Kaif

Delhi Capitals (DC) assistant coach Mohammad kaif trained with the team for the first time at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) Stadium, Mumbai ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 season and believes that Delhi possess the players who could go one step further and win them the title this time, after coming so close last season.

"We want to go one step further this year and that's the Delhi Capitals team goal. We have the players to win the title. We were very close last year and the plus point for this season is that most of the players such as Rishabh Pant have been playing a lot of cricket. They have been in touch with the game and therefore they are in good rhythm going into the IPL," Kaif said in a DC media release.

He added that the aim of the practice session was to make players comfortable taking catches under lights.  "The players have been carrying out batting and bowling drills in the last few days. As a coaching group, we decided to focus on fielding skills in today's practice session. The players took some catches under lights. It was a great session. I got to meet many young players in the team and the experienced ones as well. I had a good chat with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane," the DC assistant coach said.

Head coach Ricky Ponting will be with the players soon but is currently in quarantine. Kaif said he is keen on having a chat with the former Australia captain and map out the road ahead.  "I am looking forward to meeting Ricky in person. I have been in touch with him on the phone. We will chalk out a training plan with Ponting for the upcoming days once he joins the team on the field," signed off Kaif.

DC begin their IPL 2021 campaign against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Mumbai on April 10. DC were recently rocked with the news of Axar Patel testing positive for Covid-19, which has ruled him out for at least their first match.