I will have a chat with Pant about his tactics: Ponting

Delhi Capitals did well to inflict a middle-order collapse on Chennai Super Kings and from a position of complete strength, the three-time champions faced the genuine threat of losing the first qualifier fair and square. However, MS Dhoni found it easy to strike against Tom Curran in the final over, much to the dismay of many fans and experts who believed Kagiso Rabada would be a better option for the final over. 

Speaking on the tactics, DC coach Ricky Ponting revealed that it was down to the gut feel of the captain in the middle and added that he would have a chat with Pant regarding the same. 

"I haven't had a chance to ask the captain that yet. Obviously, those calls are made on the field," Ponting said in the post-match press conference.

"And Tom had bowled his first three overs for 16, had bowled really, really well. And done a good job. So that's down to the gut feel of the captain in the middle at that time. And Rishabh obviously thought that Tom was the right man to bowl that last over on the back of how well he had already bowled in the game. It didn't pay off for us tonight. I think it will be a good learning experience for Tom again. He can work out how he can get better at closing that lasts over out a little bit better. But we'll get back to the rooms tonight and have a bit of a debrief with the players," the former Australian skipper added.

"And certainly have a chat with Rishabh about all the tactics that happened in the game. Because that's what we generally do. Win, lose or draw, we look deep into what we've done on the field and see ways we can improve for the next game," said Ponting.

With Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ambati Rayudu back in the hut in close succession, CSK could have sent Ravindra Jadeja ahead of MS Dhoni to calm the required run-rate. However, to the utter surprise of many, Dhoni emerged from the basement and didn't take much time to help his side to the final. 

"Look, I think he's been one of the greats, there's no doubt about that. I think there was a situation tonight when we were sitting in the dugout and thinking 'Would Jadeja come next? Would Dhoni come out next?' I put my hand up straight away and said I'm pretty sure that Dhoni will come out now and try and ice the game," added Ponting.

Delhi Capitals will now play the winner of the Eliminator game between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore on Wednesday.