Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer (Image Credit: Twitter)

Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg lamented Shreyas Iyer’s absence from the Delhi Capitals’ ranks in IPL 2021. Shreyas Iyer is confirmed to miss the 14th edition of IPL due to a shoulder injury sustained during the first ODI against England in Pune. Brad Hogg feels that the Capitals will miss not only Iyer’s leadership but also the stability he brings to the middle-order.

While the Delhi Capitals appointed an in-form and dynamic keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant captain for the forthcoming season, Shreyas Iyer revived the franchise’s fortunes, leading them to semi-finals and finals in 2018 and 2019. Iyer took the reins of the franchise from Gautam Gambhir, who stepped down from the captaincy position midway from the tournament. The 26-year old was the fourth-highest run-getter in 2020, with 519 runs in 17 games at 34.60.

Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant (Image Credit: Twitter)

On the other hand, as capable as Rishabh Pant is across facets, the 23-year old is inexperienced as captain. The keeper-batsman highlighted that it’s an honour for him to lead the Delhi Capitals as this is where he began his journey. He hopes that in the company of senior players like Steve Smith, Ajinkya Rahane, and Ravichandran Ashwin, the runners-up of the 2020 edition would be able to go one step further.

Him not being there will affect the balance of this team: Brad Hogg

Brad Hogg
Brad Hogg. Image-Twitter

Brad Hogg underlined that the Delhi Capitals need to overcome Mumbai Indians, whom they lost four times in 2020 in the UAE. Nevertheless, the Western Australian believes that the most significant obstacle is Shreyas Iyer’s absence, as Brad Hogg feels the camp would miss his leadership, stability, thereby also affecting the team’s balance.

The big hurdle for Delhi Capitals last season was the Mumbai Indians. They played them four times, and they lost four times. It is a hurdle they need to clear this season. The other hurdle for DC is that they don’t have Shreyas Iyer. They are going to miss his leadership, they are going to miss his stability in the middle-order. But him not being there will also affect the balance of this team,” Hogg told in his Youtube channel.

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