The experienced Indian pacer missed the first two games for Delhi Capitals. Rishabh Pant-led side lost against Rajasthan Royals by three wickets in their second game. Avesh Khan was selected in Ishant Sharma’s absence, who has impressed with his bowling in both games. Delhi Capitals are currently missing out on A Nortje and Ishant Sharma. Their comeback will make them even stronger.
Ishant Sharma was signed up by Delhi Capitals in 2018 for a salary of INR 1.1 crore and was retained by the franchise for the IPL 2021. The right-arm pacer had to miss out on the majority of the previous IPL season due to an injury playing only 1 match.
Ricky Ponting Confirms About Ishant Sharma’s Heel Niggle Injury
Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting on Thursday said that pacer Ishant Sharma is suffering from a heel niggle and the side is working on his faster recovery.
“He has been ultra-impressive, pretty much from the first day we arrived here for the training camp. Physically he looks a little bit better, he lost a little bit of weight from last season. He is definitely fitter and bowling faster. Without a little bit of extra fitness on his side, he is able to maintain his action better. His lines and lengths and slower ball execution are excellent so far,” Ricky Ponting said while replying to an ANI query in the virtual post-match press conference.
Coming into the first game, Ishant Sharma obviously had a heel niggle that we have been trying to work through but Avesh grabbed his opportunity with both hands. He has been around with this franchise for a few years now and has not got the opportunity that he has been craving. “Look so far, he has been one of our real finds and if you got an Indian fast bowler like him and the likes of Woakes, Rabada, Nortje and T Curran around we end up with a really strong fast bowling brigade,” Ricky Ponting added.
On the other hand, Avesh Khan picked up Faf Du Plessis and MS Dhoni for a duck which helped Delhi restrict CSK with few runs. In the match against Rajasthan Royals, the right-arm pacer Avesh Khan scalped 3 wickets for 32 runs.
Delhi Capitals face Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians in next upcoming games. DC Captian Rishabh Pant will hope A Nortje or Ishant Sharma to return to their side as soon as possible.
