First we thought of finishing the chase in 10 overs: Rishabh Pant

The aim initially was to finish their last game of IPL league phase in 10 overs and go ahead of Chennai Super Kings before two quick wickets forced a change in strategy, Delhi Capitals' swashbuckler Rishabh Pant said Saturday.

Rishabh slammed an unbeaten 53 off 38 balls to guide DC to a five-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals and enter the playoffs on a confident note.

"I am always happy whenever I am taking my team home. It's always special when you finish the match. I couldn't finish off the last match but today I finished off the match. We took it deep and chased it easily in the end," Rishabh said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

"Firstly, we were thinking about chasing it down within 10 overs but when we lost early wickets we just focused on winning this match. We are happy in playing any team in the playoffs. When seamers take early wickets on these kind of wickets, it becomes easy for the spinners," the young keeper-batsman added.

Chasing 115, Rishabh smashed five sixes and two fours in his unbeaten knock at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

While DC skipper Shreyas Iyer said that the players were able to play with freedom and express themselves better this season, his counterpart Ajinkya Rahane admitted that it turned out to be a campaign they would like to forget in hurry.

"We had a tough season this year. We didn't capitalise on the tough moments, we can't place the blame on the boys for today, many of them are playing their 3rd or 4th game. We need to learn from this and come back well next season.

"Riyan Parag has been exceptional, so has Shreyas Gopal -- he always thinks about taking wickets. We play the game with love and passion, it's all about attitude. We didn't bat well, 140-150 would have been challenging.

"The bowlers gave it all, showed a lot of character. Personally, my season was good, I was confident about batting. Captaincy and batting is different, I always want to give the best to my franchise, it's all about staying positive and giving your best," Rahane said.