IPL 2021: Aakash Chopra Picks Delhi Capitals Starting XI Ahead Of The 14th Season

Former Indian opener-turned commentator Aakash Chopra has picked what he thinks should be the starting XI for the Delhi Capitals ahead of the 14th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The Delhi Capitals will be without the services of their regular skipper Shreyas Iyer, who has been consigned to the sidelines after he suffered a shoulder injury during the first ODI against England.

While Rishabh Pant will lead Delhi Capitals in his absence, Aakash Chopra has picked Ajinkya Rahane as Iyer’s replacement at the No.3 spot following the opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw.

According to Chopra, playing Rahane in place of Steve Smith will give DC a chance to play the explosive duo of Marcus Stoinis and Shimron Hetmyer in the middle-order alongside Rishabh Pant.

“Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw to open. At three, I want to play Ajinkya Rahane because if Rahane is at three then you can play both Shimron Hetmyer and Marcus Stoinis. So Rahane at three, Pant at four, and Hetmyer and Stoinis at No.5 and No.6. This looks like a very decent top-six to me,” said Aakash Chopra in a video on his Youtube channel.

Aakash Chopra on Axar Patel’s absence in the first few games for the Delhi Capitals

The former opener reckoned that Delhi Capitals will face an issue as far as the balance of their playing 11 is considered given that Axar Patel will be unavailable for the first few matches due to Covid.

Chopra said that in Axar Patel’s absence, veteran leg-spinner Amit Mishra can partner Ravichandran Ashwin.

“There could be a few problems in the initial matches because you would have wanted Axar at No.7. If you put Ashwin at No.7, you will feel the batting is a little short. So, the first couple of games they might be struggling to find the right balance. But after that you play Ashwin and Axar, you can play Mishra also along with Ashwin,” added Chopra.

In the pace-bowling department, Aakash Chopra said that one of Ishant Sharma or Umesh Yadav should partner the South African duo of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje.

“Then you have got Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, and play one out of Ishant and Umesh and your team is complete,” signed off Aakash Chopra.

The Delhi Capitals will kickstart their IPL 2021 campaign against the Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 10.

Also Read- Extra Responsibility Is Going To Sit Really Well With Rishabh Pant; He Wants To Be The Main Man – Ricky Ponting