The seventh-placed DC need a win to get to ten points and boost their prospects in the race to the playoffs. \u201cI think the confidence has been there. We've had a couple shaky ones again before we scored 260, so the confidence wasn't there. But it is nice to get a win.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt seems like it's a common score, but it is still a really big score and a really good chase. So to bring that into today, to our home ground is great,\u201d Stubbs said in a pre-game chat with the broadcasters.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On his role as an overseas finisher, Stubbs said, \u201cI think a lot of the boys are just trying to hit the ball to the stands and back. But we come here, it's sort of from the World Cup to now, you haven't been able to predict what the wicket's going to do.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBatting in the middle there, I don't think my role changes much. Ashutosh is batting beautifully. So, it really gives you that confidence that he's still in the shed to come. Axar's still behind him. So it's a lot of batting, so it gives you confidence.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Stubbs, who struck 60 against CSK earlier in the season, said past performances count for little. \u201cI don't think so. You get out there, new wicket. That was a really nice pitch that day, a bit of bounce. So, we don't know what we're going to get here. But a new wicket, you start on nought, and it's a fresh game. So yeah, we're excited. A bit of weather around, so you never know. But it's been a big game for both teams.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The top-order batter Nitish Rana, meanwhile, spoke of the familiarity of playing at his home venue. \u201cActually, when you enter this atmosphere, I\u2019ve been coming into this ground since childhood. So I wouldn\u2019t say that I don\u2019t feel nervous. You do feel nervous before every game. But yes, there is definitely a sense of comfort because at home a person feels more comfortable, and this is my home,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Stubbs, who struck 60 against CSK earlier in the season, said past performances count for little. \u201cI don't think so. You get out there, new wicket. That was a really nice pitch that day, a bit of bounce. So, we don't know what we're going to get here. But a new wicket, you start on nought, and it's a fresh game. So yeah, we're excited. A bit of weather around, so you never know. But it's been a big game for both teams.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Asked about a possible psychological edge against CSK, Rana remarked, \u201cI think we should focus on controlling our own game \u2013 what we can control \u2013 rather than what the points table is saying, or how many wins or losses each team has in the tournament. Today\u2019s game is important, yes, but if we focus on all three departments and perform well in all three, then the result will definitely be in our favour.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n