IPL 2022: From Warner, Marsh’s unavailability to Nortje’s fitness – How DC can cope with trio’s absence

0
526
IPL 2022: From Warner, Marsh’s unavailability to Nortje’s fitness – How DC can cope with trio’s absence


In a huge setback for the Delhi Capitals, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh and Anrich Nortje will miss the first few games of IPL 2022 | Photo: BCCI/IPL/ICC

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Delhi Capitals will be without three of their overseas stars at the start of IPL 2022
  • While David Warner and Mitchell Marsh will be unavailable till April 6, there are questions over Anrich Nortje’s fitness
  • Here’s a look at how DC can fill those gaps in the first few games

With two new teams entering the Indian Premier League (IPL), the number of matches has increased and thus the 50-day window has also extended to a 62-day run. A total of 74 matches will be played from March 26 to May 29 with 10 teams divided into two groups of 5 each.

The elongated IPL window is now clashing with the international scheduling and thus has affected a few teams’ gameplans as some players will be arriving late to feature in the 2022 edition of the cash-rich league. The players’ availability has affected the Delhi Capitals the most as at least three of their star overseas players won’t be available for the first few games in the competition.

Capitals’ steal signing, David Warner, would only be available to play from April 6 as part of Cricket Australia’s (CA) policy, which doesn’t allow a contracted player to feature in any other tournament till the national team is in action. The three-match ODI series and the one-off T20I against Pakistan are scheduled to be played till April 5 and Warner, who isn’t part of the limited-overs squad can complete quarantine requirements to be available starting April 6.

Mitchell Marsh, on the other hand, is part of the Aaron Finch-led side for four white-ball games and even if he arrives in India on April 6, he will have to serve a 3-day quarantine before being available to play for the Capitals.

However, the biggest question mark right now for the Capitals right now is on the availability of pacer Anrich Nortje, who hasn’t played an international game since T20 World Cup 2021 due to his persistent hip issue. Nortje wasn’t picked in the Proteas’ squad for the Bangladesh series and the uncertainty of his availability could hurt the Rishabh Pant-led side.

Capitals may not have overseas back-ups, however, they do have Indian options to replace the three players in the line-up.

Seifert, Mandeep, Ngidi – the backups to take the front seat

New Zealand wicket-keeper batsman Tim Seifert, who opens for his national side in T20Is could partner Prithvi Shaw at the top, while former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) gloveman KS Bharat could take the No. 3 spot. Or, the Capitals could open with Mandeep Singh and play Seifert in the middle-order as he has done in the recent season of the Caribbean Premier League. Capitals also have Indian all-round options in Lalit Yadav and Ripal Patel.

As far as bowling is concerned, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel pick themselves, while Mustafizur Rahman will be one overseas option. With Rovman Powell taking the No. 5 spot in the batting order, Nortje’s countryman Lungi Ngidi could handle the pace bowling duties with left-arm Bangladesh seamer. For the final spot, it could be a toss-up between Kuldeep Yadav or Chetan Sakariya.

DC’s likely XI for first few games: Tim Seifert, Prithvi Shaw, Mandeep Singh/KS Bharat, Rishabh Pant (w/c), Rovman Powell, Sarfraz Khan, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Chetan Sakariya/Kuldeep Yadav, Mustafizur Rahman, Lungi Ngidi



Source link

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here