IPL 2019: Ricky Ponting Expects Trent Boult to Fill the Big Shoes of Kagiso Rabada

Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting is expecting Trent Boult to fill in the big shoes of Kagiso Rabada. The Proteas start bowler was ruled out from the rest of the tournament due to a back injury. Cricket South Africa have recalled their speedster to be fit for the World Cup. Meanwhile, Kagiso Rabada was instrumental in helping Delhi Capitals reach the playoff stages.

Rabada had a sublime season for the Delhi Capitals as he scalped 25 wickets in the 12 matches he played for the franchise. The gun fast bowler took two four-wicket hauls and bowled with an impressive economy rate of 7.83. Hence, Delhi Capitals has big shoes to fill. However, they have a world-class bowler in Trent Boult but the Kiwi pacer has only played two matches in the season in which he has taken a solitary wicket.

Trent Boult can be equally dangerous.

Ricky Ponting confirmed that Cricket South Africa called back Kagiso Rabada because he had a sore lower back.

Ponting stated, “It was a decision which was taken out of our hands. It was a decision that Cricket South Africa made. He (Rabada) had a sore lower back in the last couple of games and after our last home game here, it got a little worse. So CSA took the decision as a precautionary measure to ensure that he is fit for the World Cup.”

Ponting added that it is a massive loss for them. However, they have Trent Boult who has skills to fill in the big shoes of the South African pacer. In fact, the New Zealander pacer had a sublime previous season for the Delhi Capitals as he scalped 18 wickets in the 14 matches for the team.

Boult had a good previous season.

“It’s a massive loss obviously but it’s a loss that we can cover. We have someone like Trent Boult, who is a world-class fast bowler. He had a terrific season for the Daredevils (erstwhile) last year. With him coming to the side now, we think we can cover for the loss of Rabada quite well,” added the former Australian skipper.

Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals have 16 points under their belt as they have won eight matches out of the 13 they have played. They lost their last match against Chennai Super Kings by a big margin of 80 runs and would like to get back to winning ways before the playoff stages.

Delhi Capitals will like to win their last league match against Rajasthan Royals on 4th May at their home ground to finish in the top two sides. Hence, Shreyas Iyer-led side will like two chances in the playoff stages.