VISAKHAPATNAM: Delhi Capitals picked up three exciting talents in all-rounder Sumit Kumar, wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra and batter Ricky Bhui in the IPL 2024 mini-auction and the trio are expressed their excitement about playing for the Delhi-based franchise in the 17th edition of the league.
These players are currently putting in the hard yards in the pre-season camp in Visakhapatnam under the watchful eyes of head coach Ricky Ponting and DC director of cricket Sourav Ganguly.
Kushagra, who has scored 1245 runs in 19 first-class matches, spoke about being part of an IPL team for the first time and said: "I am very excited to be a part of the IPL for the first time. I will get a chance to play with so many big international players, whom I have grown up watching. However, my main aim would be to win games for Delhi Capitals."
He also experienced batting with star wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant during the training sessions, "I batted with Rishabh Pant for the first time and he gave me a lot of input on my game. He was playing single-handed shots and hitting sixes. He's hitting the ball well and hopefully, we'll win matches for Delhi Capitals together."
Meanwhile, all-rounder Sumit, who has scored 574 runs and 43 wickets in T20s, spoke about his journey before bagging an IPL contract, "It's been a long journey for me since I started playing cricket at the age of seven. I've been playing well in domestic cricket in the last three years and I was hoping for an IPL contract. It's great to join the Delhi Capitals this year."
The local lad Ricky, who has scored 1497 runs in 62 T20s, feels that he's peaking at the right time, "I am going into the tournament with a lot of runs under my belt and I feel I am peaking at the right time as well. I never imagined I would get to play the IPL at home. I'm very much familiar with the conditions here and it will be great to play in front of my family and friends. I'm looking to win as many matches as possible for Delhi Capitals."
The Delhi Capitals will take on Punjab Kings in their tournament opener in Chandigarh on March 23.