We'll try to build on our momentum: Delhi Capitals' Amit Mishra

Delhi Capitals’ veteran leg-spinner Amit Mishra has been one of the standout bowlers in the Indian Premier League, taking the second-most wickets (166) in its history. He has been trying to get used to the conditions in the UAE during the pre-season camp in Dubai ahead of the second half of the VIVO IPL 2021. The JSW and GMR co-owned franchise Delhi Capitals had a fantastic run in the first half of the tournament, recording 6 wins in 8 matches to sit on top of the table. Mishra, who was diagnosed with Covid-19 just before the IPL was suspended in May this year, spoke about how he re-built his fitness post recovery from the illness.

“After the IPL was suspended in May, I focussed on my recovery from Covid-19. According to the advice given to me by the doctors, I improved my fitness slowly and steadily. It was difficult for me during the recovery phase, but I am happy that I am here for the second half of the season. I trained on my own and didn’t go close to anybody after recovery. I got some gym equipment such as treadmill and set them up at my home as well because I didn’t want to train in a public gym,” said Mishra, according to a Delhi Capitals release.

‘We have to set our strategies again’

Despite Delhi being on top of the table, Mishra feels that all teams will have to start afresh when the season resumes this month. He added, “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.

Ajay Ratra on the upcoming season

Ajay Ratra, who is currently overlooking the Delhi Capitals’ pre-season camp along with assistant coach Pravin Amre, recently said that his team has sufficient time to get back into the rhythm for the second half of the tournament. The Delhi Capitals are set to take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad on 22 September 2021, when the remainder of the IPL season resumes.

“It’s a different season altogether, generally it happens in full flow, and we had good momentum in the first half. Now that it’s happening after a break, so we will have to start afresh, and that’s why our franchise has organized this camp a little early. We do have sufficient time to get back into the rhythm we had in the first half of the competition, and fortunately, most of our players have been playing international cricket,” said Ajay Ratra.