Chennai Super Kings beat Delhi Capitals by four wickets in the Qualifier 1 to arrive at the finals of IPL 2021. The match saw Mahendra Singh Dhoni play a game-dominating thump to bring CSK into their 10th Indian Premier League last. Requiring 13 off the last finished, Dhoni hit a square cut, got a touch of karma moving his direction, and afterward pulled Tom Curran for another limit. CSK dominated the game with two balls remaining. Following the match, DC lead trainer Ricky Ponting referenced in the post-match meet with regards to the effects of specific choices taken by captain Rishabh Pant made in the match in Dubai. One of the choices included selecting Curran to astound the last rather than Kagiso Rabada.
Talking about the decision to choose Curran to bowl the last over, Ponting said, -I haven-t had a chance to ask the captain that yet. Obviously those calls are made on the field. 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," Ponting added.
Fans in India, however, did not like Ponting-s comments and slammed him on social media for blaming Pant behind the loss.
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Feeling bad for Rishabh Pant because clearly even the on-ground decisions were taken by Ricky Ponting communicated by 12th man, but the blame of giving last over to Tom Curran going on him. Captains should be allowed to back their instincts on the ground atleast.- Ricky talks cricket (@CricRicky) October 10, 2021 When Delhi capitals won matches people giving credit to Ricky Ponting. When dc loses matches people blaming only Rishab pant. Last year when Iyer captained same thing happened - Ak (@alonesubash74) October 11, 2021
So Ponting just left Pant all alone and put a blame on him- That's the reason Kohli and Shastri is >>> chonu monu like ponting, in terms of supporting - Cricfam (@cricfam) October 10, 2021
Yesterday I was praising Ponting. Now twice he pushed Pant under the bus. Australian Shastri.- The Joker (@Joker122018) October 11, 2021 Also, proper dick move from Ponting to throw Pant under the bus for the defeat.- JC (@jc_writes_) October 11, 2021 it's Ponting's team if DC wins and Pant's team if DC loses- Omi (@_xomii__) October 10, 2021
Delhi Capitals will take on the winner of today-s Eliminator, played between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders, in Qualifier 2 to have another chance at reaching the finals.