“It seems like spring will suddenly come once Rishabh Pant comes in” – Aakash Chopra on the Delhi Capitals heading into IPL 2024

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra is hopeful that Rishabh Pant’s return will help Delhi Capitals in turning the tables in the upcoming Indian Premier League 2024. Pant was ruled out of IPL 2023 due to a horrific car accident and in his absence, David Warner had led the franchise.

The wicket-keeper bat will take back the captaincy reins for the franchise in the forthcoming edition. Pant has an immaculate record in the IPL, scoring 2838 runs in 98 IPL matches at an average of 34.61 and a strike rate of 147.97. Thus, the left-hander will look to lead from the front in the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals had finished the previous season in ninth place in the standings with only five wins in 14 games and they will be looking to come up with better performances in IPL 2024.

“Last year, the Capitals had taken an oath that they would stay close to the bottom of the table. The chances of Rishabh Pant’s availability are bright this year. It seems like spring will suddenly come once Rishabh Pant comes in,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

The renowned commentator is happy to note that the Capitals acquired South African batter Tristan Stubbs whereas he shared his surprise as the franchise didn’t go for Shahrukh Khan.

“They have taken Tristan Stubbs, who I feel is a good option, a wicketkeeper-batter who can bat down the order. They now have Ricky Bhui and Kumar Kushagra. They had saved a lot of money for Kumar Kushagra, that they needed him for sure. I felt they would break the bank for Shahrukh.”

Chopra reckons the Capitals failed to strengthen their middle order, which was a cause of concern in the previous season.

“You had to strengthen your middle order and lower-middle order because that is where the problem lay. You have David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant, if he is there, at the top, but who at Nos. 5, 6 and 7? Their last year’s problem will remain almost similar this year as well,” he explained (4.35).

Chopra noted that the Capitals had to buy fast bowlers as they had let go of Chetan Sakariya and Mustafizur Rahman.

“They released quite a few fast bowlers. They let Mustafizur Rahman and Chetan Sakariya go. So it seemed like they would have to shop a little for fast bowlers and they did that,” he said.

Chopra termed the acquisitions of Jhye Richardson and Rasikh Dar as good buys by Delhi Capitals.

“They bought Rasikh Dar, who was doing well, in fast bowling and they have kept Jhye Richardson. They earlier went after Spencer Johnson as well. Jhye Richardson is not a bad choice,” he stated (4:05).

IPL 2024 will begin on March 22.