Injury-hit Delhi Capitals to turn to Amit Mishra
Ravichandran Ashwin is in doubt for the Delhi Capitals clash with the Chennai Super Kings on Friday after sustaining a shoulder injury in their Indian Premier League opener.
Ashwin is one of several Capitals players trying to shrug off niggles and will need to pass a late fitness test to make the playing XI.
Mishra waiting in the wings for Capitals
Capitals assistant coach Mohammed Kaif said that if Ashwin wasn’t at full fitness, then the team would turn to veteran leg-spinner Amit Mishra.
“Ashwin is going for practice today and we haven’t taken a call yet if he is going to be available or not for tomorrow’s game.
“We will see how the practice goes. We are monitoring him very closely. But yes, if he is not fit to play tomorrow, we have Amit Mishra who is very experienced player.
“He has been doing well in IPL. So yes that’s a plus point in this squad that we have got a replacement ready,” Mohammed Kaif, DC Capitals assistant coach, said in a video conference on Thursday.
Sand-based grounds causing injuries
Kaif believes that the surfaces have played a part in the injuries suffered in the Capitals group.
“Soft tissue injuries will take place a lot because after long lay-off players are coming back. They are trying to give their best shot on the sand-based grounds which is not easy. We are not used to it. Body is not used to it. It is totally different.
“It’s a big ground (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) so there’s lot of running involved which probably don’t match in training session. Training is about batting, bowling, bit of fielding. But intensity is not that much as match day, so that’s why I feel it is going to be a tough one on the players this season,” Kaif said, when asked whether special precaution needs to be taken in the UAE grounds.
India seamer Ishant Sharma is also in doubt for the match having not bowled in training this week. Kaif said the quick would be assessed ahead of the match on Friday.
“Ishant had gone to the ground yesterday. He had a good run. He didn’t bowl. He is under observation. About his playing against CSK, we will take a call after the practice session (today) Thursday,” Kaif added.
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