Aakash Chopra has said that the Delhi Capitals will be hard-pressed to field four quality overseas players in the first few games of IPL 2022.
The Delhi Capitals have only seven foreign players in their 24-member contingent for the upcoming season of the IPL. Moreover, the likes of Anrich Nortje, David Warner and Mitchell Marsh are unlikely to be available for the franchise at the start of the tournament.
Aakash Chopra Surprised At Delhi Capitals Picking Only 7 Overseas Players At IPL 2022 Mega Auctions
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra pointed out the Delhi Capitals’ predicament in fielding four overseas players in the first few games of IPL 2022.
He observed: “Surprise surprise, you have only seven overseas players. When you could have taken eight, why didn’t you? I didn’t understand this stinginess at all because you already had seven and if Nortje doesn’t come, it becomes six. Two or three of the six are not available, so what will you do for the first match? You don’t have players at all, you are down to absolutely nothing.”
The cricketer-turned-commentator reckons the Delhi Capitals’ decision to retain Proteas pacer Anrich Nortje was probably an unwise move.
He reasoned: “You had retained four players, which also included Anrich Nortje. When you retained him, the talk was already going on about his hip surgery. He has not played cricket at all after that. That is the gamble that you took.”
Aakash Chopra added that Delhi Capitals had opted to retain Anrich Nortje ahead of his South African teammate Kagiso Rabada.
He elaborated: “You let Kagiso Rabada go; you thought you will get someone else, and Anrich Nortje will come. But Anrich Nortje in all likelihood is not going to come. He is not available as of now, has not played anything for South Africa for the last six months. So what will happen to Anrich Nortje; it’s a big question.”
Anrich Nortje has apparently joined Delhi Capitals’ squad in Mumbai. However, there is no clarity on if he will be able to take the field in IPL 2022.
Aakash Chopra Stressed Both Mitchell Marsh And David Warner May Not Be Available At Start Of IPL 2022
Aakash Chopra pointed out that David Warner and Mitchell Marsh, who are part of the Australian team touring Pakistan, will also miss the first few games. David Warner and Mitchell Marsh, the MOS of the 2021 T20I World Cup and MOM of the final, respectively, are expected to make up for the lack of firepower due to the loss of Shikhar Dhawan, Shimron Hetmyer and Marcus Stoinis.
He said: “You let Shikhar Dhawan go and got David Warner; I will say thumbs up with both hands. You let Marcus Stoinis go and got Mitchell Marsh, once again thumbs up with both hands. But Mitchell Marsh and David Warner are not available at the start. They are going to miss the first three matches.”
While praising the acquisition of West Indies’ hard-hitting batter Rovman Powell, the 44-year-old highlighted that Mitchell Marsh’s bowling fitness is always a question mark.
Aakash Chopra observed: “Forget you and me, even Ricky Ponting doesn’t know properly about Mitchell Marsh’s bowling; he leaves after getting injured. You did a good job by picking Rovman Powell, as Shimron Hetmyer left.”
The Delhi Capitals, much like Mumbai Indians, were hit hard by the IPL 2022 mega auction. They had to release some of their tried-and-tested players, who were acquired by other teams in the draft or at the auction.
The bowling attack which wore an ominous look in IPL 2020/2021 with Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel and Avesh Khan had been disturbed. Bowlers Shardul Thakur, Mustafizur Rahman, Khaleel Ahmed, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Kuldeep Yadav and Lungi Ngidi will assume leadership roles with their variations to complement Anrich Nortje and Axar Patel.