Marsh overcame a bout of COVID-19 in the first half of the tournament and became the backbone of Delhi’s top order
Ahead of Australia’s three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, Mitchell Marsh said how it is a ‘shame’ that his IPL The franchise Delhi Capitals could not make it to the finals.
DC’s five-wicket loss against Mumbai Indians meant that Faf’s Royal Challengers Bangalore made it to the playoffs despite a poor net run rate throughout the tournament.
“It is a shame that we (IPL) could not reach the final,” the 30-year-old said ahead of the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka starting June 7.
Australia will take on Sri Lanka in a five-match ODI series. Marsh overcame a bout of COVID-19 in the first half of the tournament and became the backbone of Delhi’s top order along with his Aussie teammate David Warner.
Coach Ricky Ponting assigned him to bat at No 3 as he scored 251 runs at a strike rate of 132.80.
“Everyone talks a lot about him (Ponting) and what he has achieved in the game. But I got a real sense of how much he cares about his players – I think he might have been a captain and Was like a team leader,” he said.
“I got a real sense of how he (head coach Ricky Ponting) takes care of his players and maybe that’s what he was like as a captain and a team leader – that’s the way he makes you feel . He made me feel like a. Really important player for Delhi,” he said.
On overcoming COVID-19, he said: “After my first few weeks, I felt like I was cursed in India,” he said.
“I went through my initial injury – which was very minor – but then to play a game and get COVID, it was a bit shaky start but once I got going it was nice to have some consistent performances on the board. I was there I absolutely loved the time.”
He further said that he would like to continue batting at No.
“I’ve loved batting at number three, and it’s been a little over 12 months now. I definitely feel like this is my best position in T20 cricket, and I’d love to bat in the power play.” Well, I’ve batted a lot with David Warner and had some great partnerships with him – it’s been really enjoyable.”
“Hopefully, I can maintain as much consistency as I can at number three and stay there. International cricket is really tough, but you have to believe that you are here and I think in the last 12 months.
“I’ve really come to believe that my best can match up with anyone in the world,” Marsh said.
(Inputs PTI)