Aakash Chopra called for changes in the Delhi Capitals side heading into their upcoming game against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday, April 27.
The former India batter said that Pathum Nissanka should be dropped from the playing XI and either Prithvi Shaw or Abishek Porel should join KL Rahul at the top of the order. Lungi Ngidi sustained a head injury while fielding in the last game. If he fails to recover in time, Chopra opined that Dushmantha Chameera should replace him.
“Mitchell Starc is still not available. If Lungi Ngidi is available, I will make one change. I will bring in either Prithvi Shaw or Abishek Porel in place of Pathum Nissanka. I will make one of them open with KL Rahul, and I will get Dushmantha Chameera in with Lungi Ngidi. I will go in that direction,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.
While Rehan Ahmed joined the the Capitals’ setup as a replacement for Ben Duckett. However, Chopra said that the England leg-spinner will have to wait for his chance as dew could play a role in the evening game at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. He also mentioned that T Natarajan needs support from his fellow bowlers.
“I will not play Rehan Ahmed now. You can think about playing him, but it’s an evening game, and dew can come. I will go with the two faster bowlers. You will have to drop Auqib Nabi in this match. Mukesh Kumar started well, but is not doing well now. T Natarajan is bowling well, but he needs support. I will probably pivot towards two overseas fast bowlers and two middle-order batters,” he observed.
Delhi have no idea about what they should do: Aakash Chopra
Delhi Capitals failed to defend a 265-run target in the last game against Punjab Kings. KL Rahul starred with a 67-ball 152* but it wasn’t enough for his team to register a win. Chopra believes that the Axar Patel-led side would be a bit confused heading into the game against Bengaluru, wondering what more they need to do to return to winning ways.
“Delhi have no idea about what they should do. Delhi now has to be a very confused lot as to how they should play the game because even 264 wasn’t enough. KL Rahul might be thinking that even 152 is not enough. So how many more runs can anyone score?” he said.
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Chopra lambasted the Delhi Capitals’ bowling attack and said that there is nobody who can bowl a few balls above 140 kph.
“Sorry, KL and Delhi’s fans, extreme letdown. Very mediocre bowling. There is a very interesting stat that if you see teams with speeds of more than 140 kph, GT are at the top, Rajasthan are at No. 2, and Delhi are at the last spot. One-percent deliveries are above 140. They don’t have pace,” Chopra observed.
