IPL 2021: Delhi Capitals Will Become Even More Strong - Aakash Chopra Says Shreyas Iyer Should Be The Captain When Tournament Resumes

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra is confident that Shreyas Iyer, if fit, will walk in as the captain of the Delhi Capitals when the IPL 2021 resumes, despite the side leading the points table hitherto under Rishabh Pant.

Shreyas Iyer was earlier ruled out of the entire season after a partial dislocation of his shoulder in the white-ball series against England prior to the IPL 2021; he had undergone surgery last month.

Rishabh Pant was handed the reins of the side for the entire season, and he was impressive in his debut captaincy season winning 6 out of 8 games.

However, now, since the IPL 2021 was halted midway following a Covid-19 outbreak in four different franchises, as Aakash Chopra points out, Iyer is within the rules to return to the squad – the Capitals also haven’t named an official replacement for Iyer.

Aakash Chopra reckons Iyer should be re-instated as captain as soon as he is declared fit and would be batting at number 3. The Mumbai batsman led the side to its first-ever IPL final last season in the UAE but failed to clear the final hurdle against the Mumbai Indians.

“Hundred percent man. There is no doubt it. Fit and available, Shreyas Iyer walks in as a captain, bats at No.3. Rules are definitely not like that once you are ruled out, you cannot come back. When fit and available, come back and play,” Aakash Chopra said in his YouTube video.

Delhi Capitals will become even more strong: Aakash Chopra

The 43-year-old opines that the Capitals will become even stronger when Iyer returns in the side at the number 3 position. In Delhi’s last game, versus the Punjab Kings, it was Steve Smith who batted at number 3.

Aakash Chopra explains that with Iyer replacing Smith, the Capitals would be able to play Anrich Nortje in the side, and alongside Kagiso Rabada, Marcus Stoinis, and Shimron Hetmyer. Last season, Nortje formed a dangerous pair with Rabada – both pacers combined to take 52 wickets helping the side to its maiden IPL final.

“Then you can play Nortje alongside Rabada, Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis. Suddenly the Delhi team, which is already very strong and is at No.1 at the moment, will become even more strong,” the former opener elucidated.

Also Read: They Needed A Replacement For Me, I Gave Them Kieron Pollard’s Name – Dwayne Bravo Reveals How He Was Responsible For Mumbai Indians Signing Pollard