IPL: Mental clarity is very important for DC in Qualifier 2, says Mohammad Kaif

Delhi Capitals (DC) will try to get rid of the disappointment of consecutive defeats when they face the Kolkata Knights (KKR) in the second qualifying tournament on Thursday, assistant coach Mohammad Kaif said.

The two teams face each other for the third time this season at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

DC had beaten KKR by seven wickets in the first match that the two teams played against each other in India but then lost the second match by three wickets. Kaif said that while every game in the IPL brings pressure, it will be different on Thursday. “It’s all about how we handle the pressure. Every game is a pressure game in the IPL, but this game is a different challenge for us. We have to stay calm and keep a steady mind under pressure. Clarity of mind will be very important for us,” said Kaif.

DC topped the table in the league stage with as much as 20 points but they lost their last league game of the season and followed that up with a four-wicket defeat to Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 1.

“We have played well in this tournament, finished at the top of the table in the league phase. We have had back-to-back losses, but now it’s all about coming back. We have to rise after defeat in our game against KKR. And we have players who can win matches. There’s a lot of experienced and in-form players,” he said.

He said both teams will be under the same pressure as they are both gunning for a spot in the final. “We have played all the KKR bowlers in the past and we have had success against the team. We defeated them in the first half of the tournament. We lost to KKR in the UAE phase of the tournament, but we were in control in some parts of that match as well. However, in the next match, both teams will be under the same pressure as both sides are playing for a spot in the Final,” he signed off.