Picture Credit: X/IPL
The Delhi Capitals on Saturday, May 11 were handed a major blow with their skipper Rishabh Pant receiving a one-match ban due to DC’s third offence for maintaining slow over-rate in IPL 2024. The Capitals maintained slow over-rate in match against Rajasthan Royals, which the hosts won by 20 runs.
With Pant now missing the all-important match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), set to be played on Sunday, May 12 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Axar Patel will take the helm. DC Head Coach Ricky Ponting on the eve of the match confirmed this update.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Ponting said, “He (Axar) has been vice-captain at this franchise for the last couple of seasons. A very experienced IPL player, an experienced international player, a sensible guy, understands the game really well. He’s excited about it. We started talking about it a couple of days ago when there was a possibility that Rishabh might be banned.”
“He’s got his head around it. We’ve done our bowlers’ meeting today. He’ll catch up with all the guys tonight, go through all the plans and make sure that he’s ready to lead the team well tomorrow,” he further added.
Speaking of the IPL 2024 standings, DC and RCB are still in contention to seal a playoffs spot. While the Capitals are placed fifth in the standing with 12 points, the Bengaluru-based side are placed seventh with 10 points under their name.
