Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has questioned Delhi Capitals’ bowlers after they suffered a huge loss of 59 runs against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Wednesday. After this loss, DC was knocked out of the tournament whereas MI sealed their playoffs berth.
Chopra pointed out that Mukesh Kumar, who is one of DC’s premier fast bowlers, doesn’t have a great overall IPL record. Kumar returned with figures of 2-48 in his quota of four overs against MI but the right-arm pacer was hit for 27 runs in the penultimate over of the innings by Naman Dhir and SKY.
“They played this match with just five bowlers. Mukesh Kumar bowled decently in this match, barring the last over, although he got hit a lot in the end. However, since Mukesh Kumar has started playing in the IPL, he is the most expensive bowler. It is shocking, but it is a reality,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel
In 31 IPL matches, Mukesh Kumar has scalped 35 wickets but he concedes his runs at an economy rate of 10.32. In the ongoing season, Kumar has snared 11 wickets in as many matches but he has conceded his runs at a high economy rate of 10.11.
“I think he goes at 10s or 11s an over. If you keep a minimum benchmark of 100 balls, you will find that Mukesh Kumar has been the most expensive bowler. Mustafizur Rahman came in the end. Dushmantha Chameera, again, not a great buy. He is okay. Overall, their situation was very bad,” he observed.
Meanwhile, DC got off to a bright start, winning their first four matches but could only manage two wins in the next nine games. The former Delhi player said DC went prey to arrogance as they didn’t name Harry Brook’s replacement on time.
“Delhi won four consecutive games, and after that, I felt they fell prey to arrogance. Harry Brook wasn’t there. So, at some stage, you take his replacement. Everyone took it, but you didn’t. By the time they took Sediqullah Atal, it was too late, and you couldn’t play him either,” he said in the same video.
Delhi Capitals will play their last league stage match against Punjab Kings at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, on Saturday.
