Chennai: While promising a better performance against the Chennai Super Kings in tonight's Indian Premier League (IPL) play-off qualifier, T.A. Sekar, the Delhi Daredevils coach, believes his team has the firepower to make it to Sunday's final.
Speaking to the Media here yesterday, Sekar, who cut his cricketing teeth at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium here some decades ago, asserted that though the pitch might assist spinners, he would put his faith in his fast bowlers who, he said, were responsible for the team progressing in the tournament.
"Our strength has been fast bowling. We have come to this stage mainly because of our bowlers' performance with support from our batsmen in posting needed runs," said Sekar.
However, Sekar added that the composition of the team's bowling attack, especially the spin component, would be decided by the core committee after taking a close look at the pitch.
"We have not thought about it because we have just seen the wicket.
"We will go back to the hotel have a core committee meeting and decide later," said Sekar when asked about including an additional spinner at the cost of a seamer.
Reflecting on the loss to Kolkata Knight Riders in the Qualifier-1 at Pune on Tuesday, Sekar admitted that the Daredevils batting let them down.
"The last three overs did not go in our favour. Our batting order needs to be assessed and we have done that. In a 20-20 game, it is not a major concern for us since we have a very strong batting line up.
"I back all our batsmen and we will surely put up a much better show tomorrow [today]," he said.
While stating that all-rounder Irfan Pathan is fit to play today and there were no injury concerns, the Daredevils coach hoped that New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor would come good against Chennai.
"I always believed that class is permanent and form is temporary. Ross got 21-ball 50 against Royal Challengers in Bengaluru. He showed his class there and I think he is in a good space," said Sekar.
"I think, playing Chennai in Chennai, they have the advantage of home crowd support. We are confident."
