Cricket

Former Indian batsman Pravin Amre is set to part ways with the Delhi Capitals (DC) after a nine-year stint as assistant coach. The franchise has recently revamped its coaching staff, appointing Hemang Badani as head coach and Venugopal Rao as director of cricket.Amre's departure is said to be mutual, with the franchise owners appreciating his contributions to the team's development. His four-year contract has come to an end, and while GMR, the company running the team for the next two years, may offer him a new role, it is unlikely to be directly with the Delhi Capitals.Amre joined DC in 2015 as an assistant coach and domestic talent scout. He played a key role in identifying and nurturing several Indian players, including Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Khaleel Ahmed, and Prithvi Shaw. He served as a bridge between domestic players and former head coach Ricky Ponting, helping them adapt to the IPL environment.Since July 2023, Amre has been the head coach of the Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket in the USA. He has also coached Mumbai to three Ranji Trophy titles, served as India A coach, and was the chief selector for India Under-19s.Amre's departure marks the end of an era for the Delhi Capitals. His contributions to the team's success and the development of young Indian players will be remembered.

Delhi Capitals' assistant coach Pravin Amre has shed light on the exclusion of Prithvi Shaw from the playing XI in recent matches, citing the team's need to prioritize form and performance. Shaw, a retained player for the Capitals, initially impressed with a 43-run knock against Chennai Super Kings and a 66-run innings against Mumbai Indians. However, his form subsequently declined.In contrast, Abhishek Porel has seized the opportunity, amassing 327 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 159.51. Porel's standout performance came in the Capitals' final group stage match against Lucknow Super Giants, where he smashed 58 runs off 33 deliveries, contributing to the team's 19-run victory."Shaw was our retained player, but if you're not in form, you can't keep your place," Amre explained. "We had to win games, and Porel grabbed the opportunities."Shaw has made eight appearances for the Capitals this season, scoring 198 runs at an average of 24.75 and a strike rate of 163.64. Porel, on the other hand, has played in various positions, including opener, where he has accumulated 159 runs at a strike rate of 165.62 in three matches.Amre's comments highlight the competitive nature of the Indian Premier League, where players must consistently perform to retain their place in the team. The Capitals' decision to bench Shaw and promote Porel demonstrates their commitment to fielding the strongest possible lineup to secure victories.

Delhi Capitals assistant coach Pravin Amre has hailed Tristan Stubbs as a player "for the next five years" after the South African batter's impressive performances in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.Stubbs, who was brought in as a backup for Harry Brook, has seized the opportunity to showcase his talent. His ability to find the boundary with ease and precision has drawn comparisons to former South African great AB de Villiers.In DC's final game of the season against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Stubbs played a pivotal role in the team's victory. His unbeaten 57-run blitz left LSG bowlers bewildered and powered Delhi to an imposing total of 208/4."If Harry Brook was there, Stubbs was actually a backup. It was so important that we had to pick a really good backup. We saw the South African League, and he had done really well there. He contributed to the winning team there. He got a triple hundred in first-class cricket, also. What we saw is that he is such a cricketer who can play well against spinners as well. He looks very hungry and composed, also. He is a player for the next five years," Amre said in the post-match press conference.Despite DC's disappointing group stage exit, Amre highlighted the positives from the season, including the emergence of young players like Stubbs, Jake Fraser McGurk, Abhishek Porel, and Rasikh Dar Salam.Rasikh, a 24-year-old pacer, has impressed with his consistent performances, especially in the death overs. In 11 matches, he has claimed 9 wickets at an economy of 10.43 and a bowling average of 37.67."I think as an Indian, bowling in the death is a specialist's job. He has discovered and backed himself really well. In the last four or five games, all Indian bowlers have been doing really well and that is what is important for us as a franchise," Amre added.While Stubbs made an impact with the bat against LSG, veteran quick Ishant Sharma rattled LSG's top-order in the powerplay. He dismissed KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock, and Deepak Hooda with his skillful bowling."He is the guy who has played 100 Test matches; he knows how to bowl on Delhi's wicket. He has contributed a lot this season and I am really happy for him," Amre said.

Delhi Capitals Rue Lack of Depth in Batting After Defeat to Royal Challengers BengaluruIn the wake of Delhi Capitals' disappointing loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League 2024, assistant coach Pravin Amre has highlighted the team's lack of depth in batting, particularly the absence of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant.Amre acknowledged that Pant's absence due to suspension has significantly impacted the team's batting lineup. "We missed him because of the rule. It affected our batting line up and sure tomorrow, he will be there, and we will finish well," Amre said.The 55-year-old coach also expressed surprise at the high-scoring nature of the tournament, with teams amassing 500 runs in a single T20 match. "I feel IPL's governing body will look into it. It is also important to know that for the crowd it was surprising to see teams scoring 500 runs in a T20 match. That's happened in IPL. So, the committee will decide what is better for IPL," Amre added.In the match against RCB, Delhi found themselves in trouble at 30/4 before a 56-run partnership between Shai Hope and stand-in captain Axar Patel brought them back into the game. However, RCB's bowlers, led by Yash Dayal and Lockie Ferguson, restricted DC to 140 runs in 19.1 overs, securing a 47-run victory.Amre believes that Pant's return in the next match will provide a much-needed boost to the team's batting. "The way he is playing this year he is the highest run gutter during the year but rules are rules. We missed him because of the rule. It affected our batting line up and sure tomorrow, he will be there, and we will finish well," Amre said.

Rishabh Pant's scintillating knock against Gujarat Titans has reignited hopes of his return to form ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. Delhi Capitals' batting coach, Pravin Amre, believes Pant's performance is a testament to his hard work and determination.After recovering from a horrific car accident in December 2022, Pant returned to competitive cricket a month ago. His unbeaten 88 off 43 balls against Gujarat Titans has virtually sealed his spot as India's first-choice wicketkeeper for the T20 World Cup.Amre praised Pant's dedication and preparation, highlighting his two-week camp in Vizag where he arrived straight from the airport. "He was hungry and made sure everyday he is going to utilise," Amre said.Pant's partnership with Axar Patel (66 off 43) was crucial in Delhi Capitals' victory. Amre believes Axar's promotion to the No.3 spot was a strategic move that paid off. "Axar played very well, but the partnership he had with Rishabh was striking," Amre said.Amre emphasized the importance of Pant's power-hitting in the last five overs, which made the difference in the match. "Rishabh was confident and he single-handedly batted very well in the last 5 overs," Amre said.Gujarat Titans spinner Sai Kishore acknowledged the impact of Pant and Axar's partnership. "Axar and Pant batted really well. Rishabh scored a lot of boundaries off good balls," Kishore said.Pant's performance has not only boosted his confidence but also raised expectations for his performance in the T20 World Cup. Amre believes Pant is ready to roar and make a significant contribution to India's campaign.

Rishabh Pant's Resurgence Bolsters Delhi Capitals' IPL HopesPravin Amre, the assistant coach of Delhi Capitals (DC), has expressed his delight at Rishabh Pant's impressive return to form during the team's pre-season camp. Pant, who missed the previous 14 months due to a severe car accident, has showcased his vintage batting prowess, leaving the coaching staff optimistic about his impact in the upcoming IPL season."It was a joy to watch him bat," Amre said. "His bat swing was as fluid as ever, despite the long layoff. It's a testament to his dedication and hard work."Pant's return is a major boost for DC, who endured a disappointing campaign last season under David Warner's leadership. The team finished ninth in the standings, failing to qualify for the playoffs.With Pant back in the fold, DC is aiming for a strong start to the tournament. The team's coaching staff, led by Amre, believes that the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Vizag, where DC will play their first two home matches, will provide a high-scoring environment."Vizag has always been a ground where runs flow freely," Amre said. "We're excited to see what it has to offer."DC's focus is on providing the best possible conditions for their players to excel. The team has been engaged in practice matches and collective sessions to fine-tune their preparations for the IPL.DC will kick off their IPL 2024 campaign against Punjab Kings in Mohali on March 23. Pant's return adds a layer of anticipation and excitement to the tournament, as fans eagerly await his return to the field.