Rishabh Pant has received a one-match suspension owing to slow rate issues. He made the mistake thrice, and that’s why the Delhi Capitals will have to manage without his services for the crucial IPL 2024 fixture against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru this Sunday.
This suspension has left the Delhi Capitals in a tough situation because Rishabh Pant has been the team’s best Indian batter in IPL 2024. Plus, his wicketkeeping and decision-making from behind the stumps has helped the team succeed in a majority of the matches that they have won.
Pant’s absence will be a big blow, but Delhi Capitals will have to quickly decide who will lead the team in the match against RCB. Here’s a quick look at the two candidates that the Capitals have available for this role.
1. David Warner might replace Rishabh Pant
The wicketkeeper’s role might not bother DC much because they already have Abishek Porel in the playing XI. However, they will have to drop one of their overseas players from Gulbadin Naib or Shai Hope to make way for David Warner into the side.
Warner skippered the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2023. He has captained Sunrisers Hyderabad in the past as well. Hence, Warner might walk into the playing XI as the captain tomorrow.
2. Axar Patel
If DC do not wish to tinker with their foreign combination, then they could bring in Kumar Kushagra or Prithvi Shaw for Rishabh Pant. They can then assign the wicketkeeping duties to Porel or Shai Hope, and Axar Patel can take over as the captain. Patel was the team’s vice-captain last season and would have a lot of experience under his belt as well.
