Delhi Capitals: Missing Indian Pace Bowling Power Becomes Big Concern

Rishabh Pant‘s absence significantly lessens Delhi Capitals’ possibilities in the forthcoming edition of Indian Premier League as the trepidation factor related with the franchise will not be there this time round.

The absence of any high-caliber Indian pacers from the team, which will begin its campaign on April 1 against the Lucknow SuperGiants, could be even more detrimental to the team coached by Ricky Ponting.

DC’s morale will be boosted by Mitchell Marsh and Kuldeep Yadav’s performances, but the think tank won’t sleep well if it can’t find an ideal Indian replacement for Pant.

The “Impact Player” rule could be a disadvantage for the Delhi Capitals because some of their veteran players lack the ability to be an X-factor with the bat or the ball.

Sincerely, DC’s success will be more dependent on their four overseas players than on its stash of Indian talent.

Here’s a SWOT analysis of the team:

Strengths

DC’s greatest advantage is the presence of three foreigners who are capable of winning games on their own. DC will rely on Mitchell Marsh’s power-hitting ability in the top three as the enforcer in the powerplay. Better still if he could sneak in one or two overs.

Since he started playing in the IPL, David Warner has only once had a bad season, when he got into trouble with the Sunrisers Hyderabad management.

With an average speed of 150 clicks, Anrich Nortje is one of the world’s most terrifying pacers and will be dangerous on most days, though batters may benefit from his speed on smaller pitches.

Weaknesses

DC’s greatest advantage is the presence of three foreigners who are capable of winning games on their own. DC will rely on Mitchell Marsh’s power-hitting ability in the top three as the enforcer in the powerplay. Better still if he could sneak in one or two overs.

Since he started playing in the IPL, David Warner has only once had a bad season, when he got into trouble with the Sunrisers Hyderabad management.

Despite the fact that Rishabh Pant’s absence cannot be compensated for, head coach Ricky Ponting was very clear during the media session that he cannot “joke” or “gloss over” the fact that Pant is irreplaceable in this set-up as a No. 1 batsman. Despite the fact that Anrich Nortje is one of the scariest pacers in world cricket, he will be dangerous on most days with an average speed of 150 clicks. 4 batter and a leader as well.

Since no one could have foreseen a terrible accident for the world’s number one keeper-batsman, the problem in Pant’s absence is the lack of an Indian second wicketkeeper. This is something that the recruiters may not have taken into consideration during the auction.

Phill Salt is a very useful T20 cricketer who is on DC’s roster. He has a good record in the small amount of cricket he has played in the subcontinent (Pakistan). However, DC will be unable to field a specialist foreign bowler in the playing XI if they pay an overseas keeper.

Therefore, it is absolutely necessary for keepers like Barinder Vivek Singh and Luvnith Sisiodia to perform well in trials. This will give them the option to field a foreign bowler like Mustafizur Rahaman, who is exceptional at the death. There is a possibility that the batters will make good use of his pace on smaller grounds.

Opportunities

This edition could be a test for Prithvi Shaw because he has the chance to dispel all the negative impressions that have been about him since he became a star as the captain of the India U-19 team five summers ago.

Shaw, who is extremely talented, would love to make the most of his contemporary Shubman Gill’s success in the senior team lineup. Ponting has the impression that his ward is putting in an adequate amount of effort, and he could see a spark in him like never before. Shaw may find redemption during this time.

Threats

In terms of Indian players, pace bowling is one area where DC really lacks in quality. DC will have to rely on Nortje and Mustafizur in the seam and pace bowling departments due to the departures of Avesh Khan to LSG and Shardul Thakur to KKR.

Khaleel Ahmed, who is returning from a medical procedure, hasn’t precisely done what’s necessary to procure the certainty of anybody while Ishant Sharma’s greatest days are behind him.

Different groups will use the “Impact Player” rule in different ways, but DC does not have enough X-factor players in its ranks.

Veteran Ishant is one player who could serve as a super-sub because it would be difficult to keep him on the field for more than eight overs and let him bowl his four deliveries.

Ishant’s fitness is definitely not up to par, and those who have observed him at training are aware of this. This is more likely the result of not playing enough games at home.

Aman Hakim Khan, a Mumbai boy with a respectable rating but a modest record in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), impressed Ponting.

He is more of a bits-and-pieces bowler with an economy rate of 8.15. In SMAT, where he has also opened for Shaw, Mumbai has used him as a pinch-hitting floater.

However, the IPL will bring its own set of challenges to DC, and the role will be different there.