Head coach Ricky Ponting praised the performance of Delhi Capitals fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, despite Tuesday's 15-run defeat to the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League.
Rabada has taken seven wickets in three matches during the IPL 2020. Two came against the Sunrisers in Abu Dhabi.
He completed telling figures of two for 21 in four overs, which included the dismissals of England opener Jonny Bairstow and New Zealand middle-order batsman Kane Williamson.
“Kagiso's just the ultimate competitor, to be honest. He loves the game, he loves playing the game. He loves competing, he loves pitting himself against some of the best batsmen in the world,” said Ponting.
“And more often than not, certainly in the last couple of years anyway for the Delhi Capitals, he's performed exceptionally well. There are a little things that he works on. I wouldn't say he is someone that needs someone to turn up and bowl eight overs off his long run at training. everyday.
“He's more of a feel bowler, a rhythm bowler, so that's the stuff we are working on with him. So far in this tournament, he's been outstanding once again.”
The South African star's showing played an important role in limiting Hyderabad to a final total of 162 for four. The Capitals, however, failed in pursuit of a 163-run target en route to 147 for seven.
Iyer on Abu Dhabi Conditions
“We had actually no idea how to play on this wicket because this is our first game here, and they played their last game here. So they pretty much outplayed us in all three departments,” added Delhi captain Shreyas Iyer.
“The pitch was really surprising. In the second innings, it was two-paced. When I went in to bat, I wasn't getting the ball well onto the bat. We thought the dew factor would play a massive role in the second innings and the ball would come on really well.
“We didn't really execute the way we wanted to, but a lot of learning from this wicket and also the conditions. The next time we come here, we'll be very prepared.”
The result saw the Capitals slip to second position in the 2020 IPL's eight-team standings, while the Sunrisers climbed to sixth.
