Delhi Capitals is one of the teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history to not get its hands on the IPL title. In the last few years, they had a very good team with a very good balance in the squad. But somehow, they couldn’t cross the line not even once.
They came closer in the IPL 2020 when they reached the final of the tournament. But they lost to Mumbai Indians and MI won their 5th IPL title.
MI vs DC IPL 2020
Delhi Capitals were in trouble while batting first in the final. They were 22 for 3 when skipper Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant started the consolidation process. The pair added 96 runs for the 4th wicket. Rishabh Pant was the main aggressor in the partnership. He scored 56 off 38 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes.
That was the only real partnership that helps Delhi Capitals to post 156 on the board. Shreyas Iyer remains not out on 65 off 50 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes. Boult took 2 while NC Nile took 2 wickets.
When MI came out to chase the target, they got off to a quick start. Q de Kock and R Sharma both were playing shots and the pair put on a 45 runs partnership for the first wicket in the 4 overs.
Q de Kock got out on 20 off 12 balls with 3 fours and a six. I Kishan’s cameo off 33 off 19 balls with 3 fours and a six and captain R Sharma’s 68 off 51 balls with 5 fours and a six helps MI to chase down the target easily.
MI won the game with 8 balls and 5 wickets in hand. Delhi Capitals’ dream of lifting the IPL trophy remains unfulfilled.
Trouble for Delhi Capitals
Now, they are in more trouble with their regular captain Rishabh Pant is most likely out of the IPL 2023 because of what happened to him. The wicket-keeper batter got hit in a car accident while going from Delhi to Roorkee.
Rishabh Pant was going to his home town Dehradun to surprise his mother and in between the incident happens. His Mercedez car got hit on the divider and the car picked up the fire.
A bus driver named Sushil Kumar reached the spot and helps Rishabh Pant to get to a nearby hospital.
The good news is his MRI scans of the brain and spinal cord were normal. But he picked up an injury in his right knee, ligament tear in the right leg, toe, etc.
That means, he remains out of the game for at least 3 to 6 months. He will not be a part of the Border-Gavasker Trophy and the IPL 2023. We hope that he will be fine and we can see him on the field again.
DC will approach David Warner in Rishabh Pant’s absence
In Risab Pant’s absence, now Delhi Capitals franchise will approach D Warner as the replacement to lead the side in the IPL 2023. Because, D Warner has the experience of leading the side in the IPL, and also winning the trophy, he is a perfect candidate for Rishabh Pant’s replacement in the IPL 2023.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) won the IPL 2016 under the leadership of D Warner by beating Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the final of the tournament.
Other Concerns For Delhi Capitals
Not for the captaincy, but Delhi Capitals needs a replacement of a wicketkeeper batter in the team. As Rishabh Pant was the main wicketkeeper batter in the team, the team needs his replacement as well.
“Pant has been the mainstay of the middle order. Warner has experience in leading IPL teams. The management will speak to him. A middle-order needs an impactful Indian batter now.”- A TOI source said.
Sarfaraz Khan, the wicketkeeper batter is the option DC will look for in the IPL 2023. P Salt, the Englishmen is the other option Delhi Capitals (DC) can look for. But then the combination of playing the 4 overseas players will suffer for the team. So they have to look into the matter closely.
“Sarfaraz will be asked to keep wickets if the combination asks for it. Meanwhile, the team will be looking for a domestic wicketkeeper or a strong batter.”- the source added.
What do you think about this matter? Who will replace Rishabh Pant in the IPL 2023? DC needs a good player who can fill the big shoes of Rishabh Pant. Comment on your replacement below and give your opinion.
