Former Indian batsman and Commentator Aakash Chopra has picked his ideal XI to start for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020. Delhi Capitals have a well-balanced squad in their hand with Australian coach Ricky Ponting mentoring them. They finished at the third spot last season in IPL.
According to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) the players and the support staff need quarantine for six days on reaching UAE and go through three COVID-19 tests resulting negative, only then can they begin their training. Delhi Capitals have completed their mandatory six-day quarantine in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and have finally begun their training.
Aakash Chopra picks his ideal batsmen for Delhi Capitals
Indian Commentator Aakash Chopra picked his ideal XI for Delhi Capitals on his Youtube Channel. For the opening spot, he picked Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw. He feels Dhawan’s carefree mindset will help him. Chopra picked Shaw over new signing Ajinkya Rahane.
“At No.1, I have kept Shikhar Dhawan. He came from SRH and has done well after joining Delhi. He has a carefree mindset these days and he is striking the ball well.At No.2, I have got Prithvi Shaw. Although they have Ajinkya Rahane as well and they might have a thought of playing him, but will they want to play him ahead of Shaw. I feel Shaw will be an ideal choice to start with.”
He saved the number 3 spot for DC skipper Shreyas Iyer. He feels DC’s depth in Indian batsman is special and he mentioned, the same worked for CSK’s success.
“At No.3, I have captain Shreyas Iyer. They have an unbelievable Indian batting depth, which makes Delhi Capitals special. This was the same formula behind Chennai Super Kings success,”Aakash chopra said.
The number four spot was given to Rishabh Pant by Chopra. He feels the young gun can bat anywhere in the lineup. At number five he picked West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmeyer who he said is in a good form from the CPL.
“At No.4, I have got Rishabh Pant. He can bat anywhere in the order, take the attack to the opposition and he scores a lot of runs. He is the second-highest run-scorer amongst Indians in one season behind Virat Kohli’s 2016 season. Shimron Hetmyer at No.5. He is coming in good form from the CPL and plays the big shots,” Aakash Chopra said.
Number six was given to Australian Alex Carey for his prowess to play against spin. Aakash Chopra believes he is a great signing and will be strengthening their lower middle order.
“I have Alex Carey at No.6. He also bats well and is very good against spin. I feel he is a very good acquisition from Delhi Capitals’ point of view if they wanted to strengthen their lower middle-order. He keeps as well.”
Aakash Chopra’s choice for DC bowling attack
Chopra has picked up Axar Patel at number seven ahead of Marcus Stoinis because he won’t be able to complete a quota of four overs. The number eight spot was given to new signing Ravichandran Ashwin who was brought from KXIP where he captained the side.
“At No.7, I will play Axar Patel ahead of Stoinis because Stoinis may not be able to give 4 overs and no one bowls amongst the top 6. At No.8, we will have Ravichandran Ashwin. He used to be the captain for KXIP and I feel he will do a good job for Delhi Capitals,”Aakash Chopra continued.
The number nine spot was given to veteran Amit Mishra but Chopra feels there is also another option of Sandeep Lamichhane who has returned just from CPL where he shined. No. 10 spot was given to Ishant Sharma. Aakash Chopra mentioned Sharma has shown he’s still got it and has grown in the last two years across all formats.
“Amit Mishra will be the choice at No.9. I will definitely play him although we can have Sandeep Lamichhane here as well who is coming in good form from the CPL. At No.10, we have Ishant Sharma. His profile has grown in the last 12-24 months across formats. So you can expect him to do well.”
The number 11 spot was given to South African Kagiso Rabada but he also said they have choices including Daniel Sams and Anrich Nortje too.
“At No.11, I have kept Kagiso Rabada. But they have so many choices that they can keep Daniel Sams or Nortje as well.”
Aakash Chopra’s ideal Delhi Capitals playing XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Alex Carey, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma, Kagiso Rabada
Chopra says DC will be in the top 4 according to him and are also title contenders. He said this can be the year DC finally break the jinx to lift the silverware. Aakash Chopra said DC captain Shreyas Iyer will shine in this IPL.
“Delhi Capitals will be in the top four and are actually my title contenders. This could be their year if they play to their potential. Shreyas Iyer will their outstanding player in IPL 2020, he will score runs, do captaincy and make his team win,” he concluded.
The IPL 2020 will be played between September 19 and November 10. The venue this time is UAE and matches will be played in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah respectively.