The IPL 2023 will begin on March 31, 2023, in Ahmedabad, with the first match between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings.
The Delhi Capitals will be without skipper Rishabh Pant in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) season as the star wicketkeeper batter recovers from a near-fatal car accident on December 30th. Pant was in a car accident near Roorkee, and he suffered multiple injuries.
With Pant’s absence, David Warner is anticipated to lead the side, with Axar Patel serving as his deputy. Warner has numerous years of experience as the captain of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who won the competition in 2016.
Shaw will be a game-changer
In Pant’s absence, the franchise’s CEO Dhiraj Malhotra has identified Prithvi Shaw as their game-changer for the upcoming season.
“If you see him, he performs really well every year. He made us win a couple of games last season, but he has been unfortunate. He fell sick and I think that’s what actually deterred him, not his form or the way he approaches the game. I still feel that this year he will be a game-changer for us. In the powerplays, the way he plays will have a big impact on the way DC goes in the tournament,” Malhotra said.
There is no bowler who could stop Pant
Malhotra added that Pant’s absence is a significant setback to the team because he is not just the captain but also an important hitter and wicketkeeper. He expressed relief that Pant had recovered well from the injury and expressed hope that Pant will be able to join the team in the dugout for the rest of the season.
“100 percent. Not only was he a captain, but he was also our really strong number four, number five wicket-keeper batter, who controls the game from behind the stumps. There was no bowler who could stop him. We will miss him for sure. But, this is sport. Injuries can happen to anybody. The accident he had was horrible, but we are just really glad that he came out of it strong. We are really grateful that he is on his way to recovery and hopefully should be back fitter and stronger,” said Malhotra on Pant’s absence.
“The plan is to get him, for sure. But again, the dugout is totally controlled by BCCI. Let’s see if they make an exception. We will request him in some of the home games. He’s also in his rehab. So, it also depends on how much he will be available. But for us, the most important thing is to get him back to his complete fitness. Ponting has already said that he would love to have him in the dressing room. We would love to have him in the dugout, but that will depend on whether BCCI allows it or not,” he added.
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