Our tournament starts now: Ricky Ponting ahead of playoffs

Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting stated that despite defeating Chennai Super Kings twice in the tournament, playoff games will be completely different.

Delhi will meet Chennai in Qualifier 1 on Sunday in Dubai.

"I think we should be very confident. We have beaten them twice in the league games, but as you know, the playoff games are completely different, and our tournament really starts now," said Ponting in a release issued by the franchise on Saturday.

"It starts when our players get their recovery done from tonight's (Friday) game, and then we make sure we get ourselves in the right mindset to take on Chennai. They are also a very good side, they have been level pegging with us right throughout the tournament, who's gonna finish first and who's gonna second. So, we totally respect them as a playing group, and them as a franchise," added Ponting.

Ponting believes that DC loss in the final match against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Dubai gives his team a chance to reflect on the mistakes and go strong in the Qualifier 1.

"It was a disappointing way for the game to end, and for us to lose the way we did, but I am not unhappy about it at all. I actually think, it's a really good thing because it will give the boys a chance to reflect and think about how we can improve for Sunday's game, and it's a short turnaround, so you have to forget about things and start focusing on the next game."

Ponting termed the last-ball loss to Bangalore as a 'step forward' and added that despite losing, the team played better as compared to the last couple of matches which they won in the league stage.

"A lot to like about tonight's game, even though we have lost. I think it's a step forward. If you look at the last game (against Chennai Super Kings), it wasn't a great performance, the Mumbai game wasn't a great performance either, but we still managed to win those games. If you look at it, we probably have played better tonight than the games we have won, so that's certainly the way I look at it. It's not about end results, it's about the performances we were putting on the board."