Our performance in the first match will set the tone for us, says Delhi Capitals' assistant coach Mohammad Kaif

Delhi Capitals’ assistant coach Mohammad Kaif believes that the opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the second half of the VIVO IPL 2021 season will be pivotal for the franchise. With Delhi currently sitting on top of the IPL table, assistant coach Kaif looks ahead to the second half of the season. Delhi have won six of their eight matches and have lost only twice in the first phase of the IPL. Having accumulated a total of 12 points, the franchise is only couple of wins away from securing a playoff spot. Kaif, who has joined the pre-season camp in Dubai recently, said that the first match will set the tone for the rest of the tournament.

“There has been a big break after the first half of the IPL, but we are fortunate that most of the players have been playing international cricket regularly. We have a well-balanced side as there are players with international cricket experience and domestic players, who have been putting in good performances. The first match is going to be crucial for us. Our performance in the first match will set the momentum for us,” he added, as per a Delhi Capitals press release.

Mohammad Kaif on Shreyas Iyer

The assistant coach believes that the roles of some players in the team may change due to the venue switch from India to the UAE. “We played well in India and now we have to carry forward our performance here in the UAE. The roles for some of the players compared to the first half of the IPL may change because the conditions are different here. We have to start afresh in the second half of the tournament. We are looking to get used to the conditions here in the next few days and also play a couple of practice matches,” said the 40-year-old.

Speaking about Shreyas Iyer’s comeback to the Delhi Capitals side, Kaif said that the batsman’s return is a big plus for the team. He elaborated: “There are not many changes to the squad as compared to the first half of the tournament, however the biggest plus for us is that Shreyas Iyer is back in the squad. He is a fantastic player and he’s been playing well for us in the last couple of seasons. We are looking forward to seeing him play this season.”

‘I think every team has an equal chance of doing well’

Table toppers Delhi Capitals are set to take on Sunrisers Hyderabad on 22 September after the remainder of the IPL season resumes. Despite Delhi being on top of the table, Amit Mishra feels that all teams will have to start afresh when the season resumes this month. He elaborated: “We are at the top of the table right now, but we have to start afresh. We have to set our strategies again. I think every team has an equal chance of doing well now since we are all re-starting the tournament. We are playing the second half of the IPL in a different country, so we have to devise our strategies according to the conditions here in the UAE.”

The leg-spinner added that the Delhi Capitals will try to build on the momentum they had gained in the first half of the season. “We have been doing well in the last two seasons and the performances have come because of a collective effort. From coaches to selectors to players, everyone should be credited for Delhi Capitals’ progress as a team in the last few years. We will try to build on our momentum from the first half of the IPL 2021 season and take one match at a time once the season resumes,” said the 38-year-old.