Chetan Sakariya opened up on his experience of playing for the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2022. The left-arm fast bowler received a massive contract worth 4.2 crore from the Delhi-based franchise at the mega auction, but surprisingly, the team management did not pick him in the playing XI for a majority of the matches.
Even though Anrich Nortje was not fit for the initial games, the team management preferred Khaleel Ahmed, Shardul Thakur and Mustafizur Rahman ahead of Chetan Sakariya. Fans should note that Sakariya was one of the best players for the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021. He even made his international debut in 2021.
However, DC kept him on the benches. In a recent interview with Sportskeeda Cricket, Sakariya opened up on how he felt after being benched. Here’s what he had to say:
“When Delhi Capitals bought me, I did think that I would get to play all the games. I wasn’t demotivated when I didn’t play, but my confidence level dropped a bit and there was self-doubt. But there was a change in my mental toughness. I went into a shell in the initial 10-12 days of the IPL.”
Will Delhi Capitals retain Chetan Sakariya for IPL 2023?
Sakariya did not get enough opportunities to prove himself at the Delhi Capitals. He played only three matches, where he picked up three wickets at an economy rate of 7.64. Since his performances in the three games were good, Sakariya may receive another contract from the Capitals.
But like Sakariya said in his interview that he aims to play all matches for the Delhi-based franchise, it will be interesting to see how the Capitals use him if they retain him for IPL 2023. They spent 4.2 crore for his services and gave him only three games in IPL 2022.
