In the Indian Premier League, Rishabh Pant has been a game-changer with the bat for Delhi Capitals. With a spot in the middle order, the southpaw has put on a show of his swashbuckling stroke play and shredded top-tier assaults. Pant has appeared in 98 IPL matches, scoring 2838 runs with a strike rate of 147.97. He has also been in charge of Delhi’s leadership from the 2021 season.
Pant was going to Roorkee when he was involved in an automobile accident on the Delhi-Dehradun route on December 30. He is presently hospitalised and being closely monitored. Sourav Ganguly, 25, has stated that he would miss the 16th season of the cash-rich competition. Let’s have a look at who Delhi may recruit to fill the wicketkeeper-batter hole for the next season.
Here are 5 players who Delhi Capitals can sign to replace Rishabh Pant –
Number 1. Priyam Garg
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Priyam Garg has a track record of success on the Indian domestic circuit. His happiest hunting field has been FC cricket, where he has scored 1512 runs in 22 matches at an average of 50.40. He has also performed well in List-A cricket, scoring 1153 runs in 36 matches with a strike rate of 91.36.
Garg was a member of the Sunrisers Hyderabad from 2020 to 2022, however his performances were inconsistent. The kid appeared in 21 games for the Hyderabad franchise, scoring 251 runs with a strike rate of 115.14. Following his dismal performance, SRH moved on, and he did not obtain an IPL contract at the 2023 player auction.
Though Garg has not been at his best in the IPL, he has had flashes of brilliance and put top-tier bowling attacks to task. As a result, the Delhi Capitals may consider him as Pant’s successor for the next season.
Number 2. Baba Indrajith
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In the Indian domestic arena, Baba Indrajith has been a run-bank. In 62 FC appearances, the 28-year-old has scored 4275 runs at an average of 52.77. In List-A cricket, he scored 1268 runs in 49 matches at a 45.28 average.
At the 2022 mega auction, the Kolkata Knight Riders signed Indrajith to boost their batting lineup. However, he could not live up to expectations, scoring just 21 runs with a strike rate of 70.00. KKR parted company with the Tamil Nadu batter after he failed to impress in his few appearances. The wicketkeeper-batter was auctioned off in the IPL 2023 auction, but no club expressed interest in signing him.
Indrajith has often shown his talent in the local arena and has the potential to excel in the cash-rich league if given a lengthier run. As a result, the Delhi Capitals may consider him as a possible replacement for Pant in the 16th IPL season.
Number 3. Sheldon Jackson
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Sheldon Jackson is a well-known name on the Indian domestic circuit. He has appeared in 85 FC games, amassing 6235 runs at a 49.48 average. In the smallest format, the middle-order hitter has scored 1690 runs in 77 games while striking out 119.77 times.
Jackson batted well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022, scoring 297 runs in 10 matches at an average of 49.50. In the tournament finals, he hit a brilliant 133* run off 136 balls to help Saurashtra win the championship.
The ace hitter has consistently delivered in the domestic arena, and considering Jackson’s form, the Delhi Capitals may be tempted to sign him as Pant’s injured replacement. Furthermore, the Bhavnagar native is a fantastic gloveman who has shown his worth even in the IPL. As a result, Sheldon seems to be on the way to DC.
Number 4. Sachin Baby
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In the domestic circuit, Sachin Baby has been a steady performer. The 34-year-old has appeared in 94 List-A games, scoring 3067 runs at an average of 40.89. In T20 cricket, he has scored 1877 runs in 96 appearances with a strike rate of 130.89.
Sachin has shown his ability to assault the opponent from the start and turn the course of the game in his favour. Also, the ace batsman shown his ability to alter gears and delivered some controlled hits for his team.
Sachin demonstrated his batting prowess during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season in 2022. He appeared in eight games for Kerela and scored 206 runs with a strike rate of 129.55. In addition, the southpaw has some experience playing in the lucrative T20 event. As a result, the Delhi club may attempt to recruit him to boost its batting lineup.
Number 5. Aryan Juyal
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Aryan Juyal is regarded as one of India’s most promising homegrown talents. The 21-year-old has played in 28 List-A games, scoring 1026 runs at an average of 41.04. In T20 cricket, he has scored 285 runs in 14 appearances with a strike rate of 121.27.
Juyal was outstanding in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022 season, putting bowling attacks under pressure with his stroke play. In eight matches for Uttar Pradesh, the wicketkeeper-batter scored 494 runs at an average of 70.57.
Though he bats in the top order most of the time, the kid has the ability to bat in the middle order as well. And, considering Juyal’s recent form, the Delhi Capitals may think about adding him to their arsenal.
