Akash Chopra has made a bold prediction ahead of the Indian Premier League season 16 stating that Delhi Capitals won’t qualify for the playoffs of the tournament.
Delhi Capitals were looking for a capable candidate for the leadership post after Rishabh Pant sustained injuries in a vehicle accident in December, so earlier this month they gave the leadership role to veteran opener David Warner.
Chopra spoke on his YouTube channel about the probable playing XI of the Delhi Capitals.
“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,” said the former Indian opener.
“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.”
On the bowling option, he added: “Then Akshar 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.”
#RishabhIsBack : There’s word going around that we might see Rishab Pant commentating during the IPL!🥹
We’re still awaiting official confirmation. #IPL2023 #RishabPant pic.twitter.com/mxWgafkJBW
— Sports Buffer (@SportsBuffer) March 29, 2023
He said that three teams have not lifted the trophy in the IPL with Delhi being one of them. But this time too, the team won’t be able to lift the trophy. The team even won’t come this time, feels Akash Chopra.
“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.”
