Here's Why Brad Hogg Thinks Delhi Capitals Will Finish Lower In IPL 2020

Not many days until the 13th edition of the IPL kickstarts in the UAE and the predictions have already begun. Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg is amongst those, who has forecasted Delhi Capitals’ standing by the end of the tournament. Brad Hogg is one of the most active persons on social media today and he earlier backed Hardik Pandya to bag the player of the tournament award too.

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Delhi Capitals were a much-improved franchise the last time as Shreyas Iyer led the franchise for a full season. They made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2012; however, lost to the three-time champions and runners-up, Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Ahead of the upcoming competition, they have roped in some quality players like Shimron Hetmyer, Alex Carey, Marcus Stoinis, Anrich Nortje, and Daniel Sams while retaining their core members.

Despite that, Brad Hogg has a grim prediction for the team. Hogg highlighted their top six as a strong one that includes the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer, and Rishabh Pant, who will be amongst the runs. The left-arm spinner further said that roping in off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is a masterstroke due to his vast experience and also being a handy batsman.

“The Delhi Capitals’ top six looks very formidable, a mixture of experience with youngsters. They have got Dhawan at the top, along with Prithvi Shaw, Pant and Iyer. So, they are going to make plenty of runs. The acquisition of Ashwin is an absolute beauty, quality leadership, good spinner, also can handle the bat in the middle overs. That adds a little bit of depth to their batting and spin department,” Brad Hogg said on his YouTube channel.

They rely too heavily on Rabada: Brad Hogg

The Western Australian believes that the pace attack is over-reliant on the South African Kagiso Rabada and are in a world of trouble if he gets injured. The veteran added that they lack depth and quality in their overseas recruits too.

Hogg also highlighted the need for Delhi Capitals to sort out the difference between Ashwin and head coach Ricky Ponting concerning the ‘Mankad’ dismissal. Primarily, due to their fast bowling attack, Brad Hogg sees them finish approximately number seven on the points table.

“Their flaw is their depth in pace. They rely too heavily on Rabada. If Rabada gets injured, Delhi Capitals are in a lot of trouble. The other flaw they have is that they don’t have depth and quality in their overseas contingent. And the relationship between Ashwin and Ponting with the Mankad. That’s the first thing they have to get under control. Delhi Capitals, because they don’t have the quality pace attack, they are going to finish round about 7th,” he added.

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