Mumbai: Delhi Daredevils, who are already out of the reckoning for this year’s Indian Premier League play-offs, have performed below par for the major part of their campaign, feels the team’s top run-getter Jean-Paul Duminy.
“We need to put in a big performance (against Mumbai Indians on Friday). We know we were below par for at least 10 games. We have nothing to lose and will go out and give it our best shot,” said the South African batsman ahead of their penultimate match of the season.
The Daredevils have slumped to seven straight losses and have just two victories in 12 games under their belt which has placed them at the bottom of the eight-team table.
The 30-year-old from Cape Town, who has played 55 T20 Internationals for his country and scored over 1300 runs, feels the Daredevils have not fired in all three departments of the game together which has hurt their progress.
“We have done well in patches. It’s about putting good performance, in terms of the whole game, together. We have done only one thing right at most times. If we had batted well we had not bowled well and if we bowled well we had not bat well in that game. If we can get all three disciplines (including fielding) right we would give ourselves a good chance,” he said.
Duminy, with 357 runs from 12 games at a 50-plus average, has been the most consistent batsman for his team but refused to blame any individual for the team’s poor show.
“It can happen to anyone. I can’t sit and blame any one person. Every individual will have to take responsibility. we have been below par but the morale is still good and to me that’s a sign of good things to come,” said Duminy.
Duminy said the franchise has put together a new squad but quickly added he was not offering any excuse.
“It’s a new franchise in terms of new set of players. There are fresh faces, a lot of young guys. I am not using that as an excuse. Certain guys struggling for form. We know we have to come back strong next season. We have got two more games got to give them our best shot.” (PTI)
