Delhi Daredevils might have virtually qualified for the play-offs but head coach Eric Simons today warned his players not to take their feet off the pedal when they take on defending champions Chennai Super Kings in a crucial IPL match on Saturday.
Addressing the media on the eve of the match, Simons said that the CSK were a good side and they would come hard against Daredevils.
"In all games, we try and understand the mindset of the opponents we are playing against. One thing surprising in the IPL is that the higher you are on the table, the more freedom the opposition takes against you. They will take more chances," Simons said.
"Not just in that perspective but CSK is a very good side. They are full of quality and will take a lot of chances. So they will be particularly dangerous in the game tomorrow," he added.
On the solid performances of Kevin Pietersen and David Warner, Simons said, "I think understanding the personality of cricketers is crucial when you put in together a team. Based on that, one has to work a strategy and make a plan. Both batsmen like to hit the ball out of the ground regularly. But it is different the way they hit and the areas they score those runs.
"The way Warner got those runs particularly against Deccan Chargers I think he has blended in well and early. Hopefully, he keeps going like this in the tournament," said the South African.
Asked about Daredevils` plans to contain CSK`s Albie Morkel, Simons said, "We got to seek answers from his brother Morne. But that`s one of the great things about IPL when international teammates playing against each other and in this case international brother`s playing against each other. I think it`s very important to take your chances. You got to plan and execute those strategies.
"If the batsmen still scores runs against you, there is nothing much you can do about it. Not just Albie, but Super Kings have a good potential in their batting line-up. So we will have to come up with strategies and try to execute them. We have our work out."
On sending Naman Ojha up the order of batting, he said, "That is part of balancing. With Kevin not with us and Ross Taylor not being in the bed for a couple of days, we decided to change the balance of the team to make sure we had a solid middle order.
"When it comes to T20 cricket, it`s not about positions, but the number of overs you bat. So if you are batting at number three and your openers have batted till the 18th over, it`s better to have somebody who can hit sixes straightaway" said the former Indian team bowling coach.
On medium pacer Varun Aaron coming good, Simons said that he was pleased in the manner in which the youngster has shaped up.
"I`m pleased with the way he has shaped up. It`s not easy to come back and bowl as good as one can. In the first two games, he bowled well but he will only get better. He bowled with pace and control. You just can`t have pace but you need control as well. He is an intelligent cricketer and understands the game."
