Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has urged Delhi Capitals to leave out Pathum Nissanka and open with either Prithvi Shaw or Abishek Porel at the top of the order with KL Rahul. In the ongoing season, DC have been backing Pathum Nissanka but the Sri Lankan batter hasn’t been able to deliver the goods. The right-hander has scored 147 runs in seven matches at an average of 21 and a strike rate of 150.
On the other hand, Porel has scored 661 runs in 29 IPL innings at an average of 25.42 and a strike rate of 149.89. Furthermore, Prithvi Shaw was in decent form in the domestic circuit. Shaw has scored 1892 runs in 79 IPL matches at an average of 23.95.
Chopra said he would play Sri Lankan pacer Dushmantha Chameera if Lungi Ngidi is not available because of head injury.
“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,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra said he won’t back England leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed in dewy conditions.
“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.
The renowned commentator said DC would be in a confused state after they could not defend 265 runs in the last game against PBKS.
“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.
DC will take on RCB at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, on Monday.
