New Delhi, April 30 (NationPress) The challenging home stretch for Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium during IPL 2025 continued as they faced a 14-run setback against Kolkata Knight Riders. Leg-spin all-rounder Vipraj Nigam acknowledged that the hosts could have clinched victory on Tuesday night had their established batters remained at the crease.

In pursuit of 205 runs, DC found stability through a 76-run partnership between vice-captain Faf du Plessis and captain Axar Patel. However, the tide turned when Sunil Narine dismissed Axar and Tristan Stubbs in the 14th over, followed by the removal of du Plessis, leading to a dramatic collapse from 136/3 to 190/9. Prior to this match, DC had already lost 23 wickets to spinners.

In the clash against KKR, six out of nine wickets lost fell to spinners, revealing a significant weakness in DC's batting lineup. The decline in performance from players such as Karun Nair and KL Rahul has compounded the issue.

"Our initial strategy was to target their primary two spinners. We successfully executed this in the first two overs. The aim was to exploit these bowlers to potentially get more overs from the others," Nigam explained.

"Things went awry, as moments like these occur where shot selection falters. The wicket was such that it becomes exceedingly difficult for new batters to settle in immediately. If our established players had stayed in, we would have undoubtedly secured a win," he stated during the post-match press briefing.

Nigam contributed a late innings effort of 38 runs off 19 balls, yet it was insufficient to guide DC to victory. “In our training and observed matches, we realized that scoring opportunities remain until the final ball. It was within our control to strive until the end,” he added.

“While it’s crucial to adapt to the ground conditions, sometimes last-minute decisions disrupt our game. However, being among the top four is a positive sign. We have four matches left and will aim to secure a top-two finish,” he continued.

Nigam previously delivered a performance of 2-41 in his four overs, making a comeback to the wicket-taking charts after going wicketless in his last four outings. He credited the support from the DC management for his resurgence, especially as the pace bowlers struggled to contain runs.

“Cricket and IPL are journeys marked by fluctuations. The key lies in your strength and mindset, the team's environment, management, and senior players' roles are vital. I’m fortunate to have received consistent backing,” he remarked.

“Even during rough patches, the management focuses on development rather than removal. They encourage open communication about any uncertainties. We also offer our support to them,” he elaborated.

“I’ve had discussions with Axar bhai, KL (Rahul) bhai, and other senior players. They’ve shown immense support, advising me to continue my successful strategies and not dwell on a couple of poor performances,” he explained.

Having his Uttar Pradesh teammate Kuldeep Yadav in the DC camp is an added advantage. “We have a strong bond from our domestic circuit and had valuable discussions before IPL. It’s beneficial to have him around,” he noted.

“In the last match, I had a few bad deliveries, but Kuldeep and Axar bhai supported me. Everyone advises to bowl naturally without overthinking. In many teams, a few bad performances can lead to being dropped, but that’s not the case here,” he added.

For left-arm spinner Anukul Roy, the match against DC marked his debut in IPL 2025. Despite the pitch not offering much grip, Roy managed a commendable 1-27 and dismissed left-handed wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel.

“We didn’t dwell on the chatter regarding left-arm spinners facing left-handed batters. The key was to adjust length and line as needed. For right-handers, mixing deliveries was essential,” he commented.

Roy learned of his inclusion in the playing eleven during Monday’s practice session and noted the pitch resembled those found at Eden Gardens. “I was informed during practice that I would be playing here. The pitch was conducive for batting, similar to what we practice for in Kolkata,” he mentioned.

“We had trained extensively for bowling in desired areas, adjusting our variations as necessary,” he concluded.

Roy emphasized how he kept himself match-ready through rigorous training, aided by senior players and spin-bowling coach Carl Crowe. “I focused on preparation, including training, running, and bowling. I was eager for my opportunity, as preparation is crucial,” he stated.

“I received significant assistance from seniors like Narine and Varun. I frequently consult them on strategies for batting wickets. Moeen (Ali) bhai is also a great support; as fellow spinners, we share insights, and the spin-bowling coach has provided excellent training,” he added.