‘Dimwitted’ Ricky Ponting slammed after IPL tactical controversy

Ponting’s Delhi Capitals fell 9 runs quick towards Sunrisers Hyderabad, regardless of an explosive Mitch Marsh masterclass.

South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen hit an unbeaten 53 to steer Hyderabad to 6-197, a complete their bowlers defended by limiting Delhi to 6-188 on the Feroz Shah Kotla floor.

Marsh returned bowling figures of 4-27 together with a maiden over after which hit a 39-ball 63, however the effort was not sufficient for bottom-placed Delhi, who fell to their sixth loss in eight matches.

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Delhi’s chase included a controversial name from Ponting to go away blasting allrounder Axar Patel down the order when the required run fee continued to climb to a harmful degree.

It was solely when Priyarm Garg fell at 5/140 that Ponting despatched Patel into the center, needing 68 off 26 to win.

Patel hit 29 not out off simply 14 balls, nevertheless it was by no means going to be sufficient because the Capitals fell quick.

It was coach Ponting and Delhi director of cricket Sourav Ganguly that got here underneath hearth within the aftermath of the loss.

Fans had been scathing of the ways used, coming simply days after Ponting made a daring transfer to dump struggling opener Prithvi Shaw.

One fan wrote on Twitter: “How can Delhi Capitals have Ricky Ponting and Saurav Ganguly, two of the best captains ever in their support staff but still don’t have the brains to send Axar Patel up in the batting order?

“I don’t even know what went through their brain.”

Cricket commentator Gaurav Sethi wrote: “The lack of common sense at DC is astounding. “Came through in the first match when Sarfaraz kept wickets. Still clueless about Axar’s batting ability. It’s a franchise protecting its jobs. Shaw’s media lashing by Ponting, a new low.”

West Australian Marsh, in the meantime, grew to become the fifth cricketer to attain a half-century and take 4 wickets in an IPL match.

“Took me a few games to get going, but a disappointing loss,” mentioned Marsh, who grew to become the third participant to be named man of the match from the dropping facet this season.

“We’ve been on the wrong end of a few (close matches) but we do feel there is a long way to go in this tournament.

“There‘s a reason why the IPL is the best tournament in the world. It’s bloody hard to win games.

“Close games can define your season. Unfortunately, we‘ve been on the wrong end of a few, but our spirits are high.

“We need to start winning, but I hold a lot of belief in this group.”

Former champions Hyderabad, who gained their solely title in 2016 underneath present Delhi skipper David Warner, bounced again from their three losses to maneuver up one spot to eighth.

Warner fell for a two-ball duck however Delhi’s chase regarded good throughout a 112-run second-wicket partnership between Phil Salt, who made 59 (35), and Marsh.

Hyderabad hit again with three wickets in three overs by their spinners, and as soon as Salt and Marsh departed the chase misplaced observe.

Rising Indian leg-spinner Mayank Markande stood out with figures of 2-20 together with getting Salt, a wicketkeeper-batter from England, caught and bowled.

Abhishek Sharma smashed 67 off 36 balls after Hyderabad skipper Aiden Markram gained the toss and elected to bat first.

Hyderabad appeared to slide after they misplaced a couple of wickets however Klaasen, who struck his first IPL half-century, placed on a few partnerships together with a sixth-wicket stand of 53 with Abdul Samad to spice up the full.

“Mitch bowled fantastic through the middle overs and was our best bowler, but coming up nine runs short is pretty disappointing,” Warner mentioned.

Originally printed as ‘Dimwitted’ Ricky Ponting slammed after IPL tactical controversy