Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra made a bold statement ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. He said that Delhi Capitals (DC) won’t qualify for the playoffs this time.
“I don’t think Delhi Capitals will come close this time,” Aakash Chopra on DC’s chances for the playoffs
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 is just a few days away from now. The league will start from the 31st March with a blockbuster clash between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings. The final is slated to take place on 28th May and it’ll be an enthralling season to watch.
Talking about Delhi Capitals, they will play without their core player Rishabh Pant as he was ruled out of the tournament due to the tragic accident he sustained in December last year. In his absence, David Warner has been named as the skipper of the team with Axar Patel as his deputy.
They have some concerns going into the tournament as they are yet to decide who will keep wickets for them. Sarfaraz Khan and Phil Salt are the two options and also there will be a lot of headaches for the management about the choice of overseas players.
Delhi Capitals Jersey of IPL 2023. pic.twitter.com/vKTrj2rk53
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 19, 2023
It’s fair to say they don’t look much settled this time around as they have been since the last few seasons. Aakash Chopra feels that they won’t qualify for the playoffs this time. Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he elaborated:
“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.”
Aakash Chopra predicts his Delhi Capitals playing XI for the IPL 2023
Chopra also predicted his playing XI for the Delhi Capitals. He picked David Warner and Prithvi Shaw as the openers with Mitchell Marsh at No.3. The former cricketer then picked Manish Pandey, Sarfaraz Khan and one between Rilee Rossouw or Rovman Powell. Akashar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav are the two spinners in the team whereas Anrich Nortje, Chetan Sakariya, and either Mukesh Kumar or Ishant Sharma were three pacers.
Check out our 𝔻ℂ 𝕊𝕎𝔸𝔾 as the boys get ready for #IPL2023 🔥#YehHaiNayiDilli pic.twitter.com/1NpbgJ6G0I
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 28, 2023
Here’s Aakash Chopra predicted Delhi Capitals playing XI for the IPL 2023
David Warner (C)
Prithvi Shaw
Mitchell Marsh
Manish Pandey
Rilee Rossouw /Rovman Powell
Sarfaraz Khan
Akshar Patel
Kuldeep Yadav
Anrich Nortje
Chetan Sakariya
Ishant Sharma/ Mukesh Kumar
