IPL 2023 is all set to start from March 31 with an encounter between the defending champion Gujarat Titans and 4-times title winner Chennai Super Kings in the opener at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Ahead of IPL 2023, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra was left utterly confused while choosing Delhi’s Playing 11. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said, “What could be Delhi’s XI? You can get David Warner to open alongside Prithvi Shaw. You can keep Mitchell Marsh at No. 3 because you will not send either David Warner or Prithvi Shaw at No. 3. Then you will have to have Manish Pandey at No. 4. Remember that there is no keeper thus far. Then Rilee Rossouw or Rovman Powell at No. 5. At No. 6, Sarfaraz Khan or any other keeper. We don’t even know who is going to keep. I am thinking Sarfaraz Khan but I don’t know.”
Choosing their bowling attack, he added, “Then Axar Patel at No. 7. After that, Kuldeep Yadav and three pacers among your four bowlers. That’s what I am thinking because Mitchell Marsh is not bowling. In the three pacers, you can have Anrich Nortje, Chetan Sakariya, and either Mukesh Kumar or Ishant Sharma.”
Unimpressed by the players in DC’s playing XI, Chopra stated that the team would not qualify for the playoffs. “Only three teams (from the original franchises) have not lifted the trophy so far – Punjab, Delhi, and RCB. Delhi has also come close, all teams come close sometime or the other, but I don’t think they will come close this time”, he said.