Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra questioned Delhi Capitals’ batting, including KL Rahul’s intent, after they suffered a 47-run loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, on Tuesday.
Chasing an above-par score of 243 runs, DC managed 195-9 in their 20 overs. Meanwhile, KL Rahul scored 37 runs off 23 balls but Chopra reckons the wicket-keeper bat should have gone out if he was injured.
DC scored 59 runs in their Powerplay overs and Chopra said the Axar Patel’s team needed an explosive start in the first six overs as they were chasing a gargantuan score.
“What were you doing? If you are chasing 240, which is 99 percent not going to happen, your Powerplay should be so explosive, or else you should at least try to score 85 to 100 runs, because if you don’t score those many runs, you won’t be in the match at all. That’s exactly what happened. What surprised me was that the intent was not visible. KL Rahul’s intent was also not seen,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“It seemed like he got injured at the start. If he was injured, he should have gone out. If you are standing there, you have to keep maximizing. You needed 12 runs per over from the first ball. It had become 13.5 runs per over after the Powerplay, and by the time the 10th over happened, it had reached close to 15 runs per over. How will it work out? Extremely timid batting,” he added.
Chopra also questioned Axar Patel for not completing his quota of four overs. Patel returned with figures of 1-23 in the two overs he bowled, accounting for Travis Head.
“Axar Patel, you dismissed a left-hander, but shouldn’t you have come earlier? Shouldn’t you have tried to complete your overs? I feel Axar isn’t bowling as much as he should, considering the level of bowler he is,” he said.
The renowned commentator highlighted that Harsh Dubey bagged three wickets in the final over against DC, returning with 3-12 in his two overs.
“Harsh Dubey also bowled left-arm spin in the end. He picked up three wickets in the last over. One wicket was Axar Patel’s only. So you can do the job. If we do man-to-man marking of the captaincy in this match, Ishan Kishan beat Axar Patel in captaincy also,” Chopra observed.
Delhi Capitals will next take on Punjab Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, on Saturday.
