Ishant Sharma, veteran pacer of Delhi Capitals will miss the remainder of IPL 2020 as his franchise has reportedly written to the Indian Premier League Governing Council, asking for a player replacement. The right-arm pacer has played just one game in IPL 2020 so far against Sunrisers Hyderabad where he went wicketless and conceded 26 runs in three overs.
Ishant Sharma is currently sidelined with a back injury, and he was suffering from soreness in his back during the team’s training one day before Delhi Capitals’ tournament-opener against Kings XI Punjab on September 20. Consequently, he missed the first two matches of his side against KXIP and CSK before returning for the third.
Ishant Sharma’s Replacement Sought To Organizers
However, he has not played since then, and according to news source ANI, Delhi Capitals have now asked for a player replacement as he was ruled out from further involvement in IPL 2020.
“Yes, we have sent in a request to the organisers for a replacement for Ishant,” the news outlet quoted a source as saying.
Delhi Capitals were dealt with a blow as Ishant Sharma’s injury will make it difficult as spinner Amit Mishra was previously ruled out too. Amit Mishra picked up 3 wickets in 3 games. Delhi Capitals are looking set to make it to the playoffs again as they are second-placed behind Mumbai Indians with 10 points after winning five of their opening seven games. Ravichandran Ashwin was injured too but returned after missing a couple of matches.
Ishant Sharma’s Injury Adds To Delhi Capitals Concerns
Wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant has been advised rest for 1 week as he has a strained hamstring and date of return is unknown. Apart from Ishant Sharma, their senior spinner Amit Mishra was also ruled out of IPL 2020 due to a finger injury.
The lanky pacer Ishant Sharma had played a vital role when the franchise had made it to the playoffs in 2019 by picking up 13 wickets averaging 26.84 while conceding less than eight runs per over. Amit Mishra had 160 wickets from 150 matches and was 2nd in leading the wicket-takers list in IPL 2020.
Rishabh Pant missed playing against defending champions Mumbai Indians which Delhi lost to lose their three-match winning streak as his absence was felt. Delhi’s next game is against Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday (October 14).