Mumbai Indians wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock says the reason for his scratchy form at the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was due to inactivity between March and September.
The Proteas limited-overs captain had spent the better part of six months without picking up a bat due to South Africa being in lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic.
De Kock then had some net sessions before the start IPL but found it tough going in the early part of the tournament.
After striking a 20-ball 33 in the first game against the Chennai Super Kings, he then only scored 15 runs in his next four innings.
When asked at a media briefing if his lack of runs at the start was due to the lockdown, De Kock said: “Yeah, obviously, I think it did, a little bit. To be honest, I was a little bit lost and [it was] hard to build an innings.
“I didn’t know when to go hard, when not to, I was a bit confused for some reason. I think it was because of the break.
“Getting some time to bat a little bit longer in the middle and having a chat to one or two of the coaches helped me out and to figure out, and [I] understand much better now.”
The opening batsman has though come good for his team since that slow start and is one of main reasons that the Mumbai Indians are in strong contention to seal a playoff place.
They tackle the Delhi Capitals in Dubai on Saturday.
LIVE | Delhi Capitals v Mumbai Indians
– TEAMtalk media
