Middle-order of Delhi Capitals has to improve its performance: Wasim Jaffer

Delhi Capitals (DC) have five wins in 11 league matches and are in the fifth position in the IPL 2022 points table. They will need to win their remaining league matches to find a place in the playoffs. In their ongoing fixture (12th), they are facing the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at DY Patil Sports Academy. Ahead of this league match, the former cricketers Wasim Jaffer and Nikhil Chopra shared their views on the form of DC.

Jaffer thinks the Capitals have been inconsistent in their performances, and have not secured back-to-back victories. He thinks only David Warner, Kuldeep Yadav, and Rovman Powell have done well for the team. The former batter added that the middle order has to provide more contribution to win matches for the team, and finds only Khaleel Ahmed as the key performing pacer for them.

“DC has been inconsistent and has not won back-to-back matches, and if some of their key players have contributed, then only they have displayed fine performances. Warner, Kuldeep, and Powell have done well. The middle-order, which plays a key role in the T20 format has not scored enough runs for them, which is the reason for their slide. Apart from Khaleel, none of the fast bowlers have proved to be effective. If Kuldeep goes for runs, Axar has not been able to take wickets for the team,” said Jaffer on Sky247.net presents ‘Not Just Cricket’ Show on CricTracker.

Rishabh Pant has not been able to finish games: Nikhil Chopra

Chopra reckoned that the form of Warner and Powell is the only positive for the team in the batting unit, and Rishabh Pant has underperformed in the ongoing season. He added that Pant’s ability to finish games has not been witnessed, as opposed to the last few seasons. The former bowler concluded by saying that it is a worrying sign for the team if their lead bowler (Kuldeep) has been expensive in the last few matches.

“Prithvi Shaw is unavailable, and although David Warner has scored runs for them, in the middle order only Rovman Powell has a half-century, and Rishabh Pant has surely contributed 30-40 runs on most occasions, but he has been unable to finish the games. Surely, Pant has not been able to perform like the way he has in the last few seasons, and their key bowler Kuldeep Yadav was smashed in the last fixture,” said Chopra.