Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals. Image Credits: Twitter

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra feels Delhi Capitals will not be able to lift the trophy in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023–and might have a few concerns about filling the void that Rishabh Pant’s injury has left. He also predicted Delhi Capitals’ (DC) probable XI for IPL 2023.

With the 16th edition of IPL, scheduled to begin in a week, cricket experts have started to share opinions on IPL teams and players respectively.
Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra. Image Credits: Twitter.

“What could be Delhi’s XI? You can get David Warner to open alongside Prithvi Shaw. You can keep Mitchell Marsh at No. 3 because you will not send either David Warner or Prithvi Shaw at No. 3,”

“Then you will have to have Manish Pandey at No. 4. Remember that there is no keeper thus far. Then Rilee Rossouw or Rovman Powell at No. 5. At No. 6, Sarfaraz Khan or any other keeper. We don’t even know who is going to keep. I am thinking Sarfaraz Khan but I don’t know,” said Chopra.

Chopra further continued that the South African batter Rilee Rossouw can bat at the No.5 followed by Sarfaraz Khan–and then the all-rounder Axar Patel. According to former star Indian opener, the batting order of the Delhi-based side looks slightly topsy-turvy.

“Then Axar Patel at No. 7. After that, Kuldeep Yadav and three pacers among your four bowlers. That’s what I am thinking because Mitchell Marsh is not bowling. In the three pacers, you can have Anrich Nortje, Chetan Sakariya, and either Mukesh Kumar or Ishant Sharma,” he further added.

Capitals will hugely miss their regular skipper Pant, especially in the middle order, who can take away the game easily from the opposition in a short period. According to reports, the Delhi-based side is looking at Abhishek Porel, Luvnith Sisodia, Sheldon Jackson, and a few others as a replacement for the star Indian wicketkeeper.

“Only three teams (from the original franchises) have not lifted the trophy so far – Punjab, Delhi and RCB. Delhi have also come close, all teams come close sometime or the other, but I don’t think they will come close this time,” concluded the ex-Indian cricketer.

As Rishabh is unavailable for the season, the Delhi-based club has limited choice in the wicketkeeping department on their side, in the auction they bagged English wicketkeeper, Phil Salt for INR 2 crore, but it will interesting to see if they will go with a regular keeper or stay with the part-time keeper, Sarfaraz for the IPL 16.

Meanwhile, IPL 2023 will kick off on March 31, with the opening game between defending champions Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), while, DC will open their campaign against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on April 1.

Also read: David Warner Or Mitchell Marsh? Ricky Ponting Confirms Delhi Capitals’ Opener For IPL 2023