DC, in Pant’s absence, has its task cut out against a rejuvenated RCB
I am sure [Axar] will lead the team really well: Ponting
Rishabh Pant’s absence will loom large when Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru spar in a must-win clash at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Sunday.
The DC skipper has been suspended for one match after his team maintained a slow over-rate against Rajasthan Royals on May 7. It was Pant’s third such penalty, triggering the ban.
With ve wins out of the last seven games, fthplaced DC, riding on the batting might of Pant, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abishek Porel et al., was looking good for the playos. But the side will now have to do without its maverick batter and top-scorer Pant (413 runs at SR 156.43).
Axar Patel will lead in his absence and it helps that the left-arm spinner has been one of DC’s standout players. In 12 games this season, the 30-yearold has bowled 40 miserly overs at an economy rate 7.32, an astonishing number in an IPL where totals in excess of 240 have become par for the course.
But in a rejuvenated RCB, DC will nd a tough opponent. Faf du Plessis’ men lost seven of their rst eight matches, but have
Axar Patel, who will lead in Pant’s absence, has been one of DC’s standout players. strung together four successive wins to still have a shot at the playos.
A settled batting line-up led by the in-form Virat Kohli has been instrumental in this turnaround, and so has the blossoming of the spin-combination involving leggie Karn Sharma and left-armer Swapnil
Singh.
However, the weather could prove a spoiler. After a scorching summer, the parched souls in the Garden City have joyously welcomed evening showers this past week. But for once, they will want the rain to stay away.
Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting backed Axar Patel to come good as captain in the absence of the suspended Rishabh Pant for the tie against Royal Challengers Bengaluru here on Sunday.
“He has been vice-captain for the last couple of seasons and he is very sensible and understands the game really well,” said Ponting, on match-eve.
“And he is really excited. We started talking about it a couple of days ago when there was a possibility that Rishabh might be banned. So, he has got his head around it. I am sure he will lead the team really well.”
Apart from being the leader, Pant has been his side’s best batter. With David Warner’s tness still wobbly — he has missed the last four matches — DC will need to dip into its reserves.
“Rishabh has been one of the best players this IPL and not having him is a loss. But it is also a great opportunity for others. We have to think about an Indian middle-order player. David Warner has trained really strongly. We hope he is available for selection.”