IPL 2023: Rishabh Pant Replacement – With Rishabh Pant ruled out, Delhi Capitals have a wicketkeeper problem. DC only have two wicketkeepers on the bench and both are part-time keepers rather than full-time options. Sarfaraz Khan and Phil Salt have kept wickets at various levels but are not regular keepers. But with no backups to fall on, DC will have to use Salt as a keeper. In the meantime, DC’s Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly and head coach Ricky Ponting will search for a suitable replacement. Follow IPL 2023 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Rishabh Pant suffered a horrific car crash and has torn ligaments in both knee and ankle. As he will undergo surgery and is set for a lengthy up to nine months on the sidelines, DC are in a big fix. DC assistant coach Ajit Agarkar has already hinted that Phil Salt will be the keeper for IPL 2023.
“Phil Salt is an exciting batter and a wicketkeeper. We have (wicketkeeper-batter) Rishabh Pant as our Captain, but Salt could play as a batter in the side. And Ishant Sharma is a Delhi boy and has a lot of experience. We have seen what he has done throughout his career,” Agarkar said.
IPL 2023: Delhi Capitals in BIG FIX over WICKETKEEPER, Sarfaraz only BACKUP keeper, Agarkar wants Phil Salt to keep, Ganguly-Ponting to take call on Rishabh Pant replacement, Check OUT
Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is currently undergoing treatment for his wounds suffered during a horrific car crash on December 30. With Pant out, DC have three part-time options on the bench: Sarfaraz Khan, Phil Salt and David Warner.
While Phil Salt has kept wickets for Sussex, he is yet to don the gloves for England. Similarly, Sarfaraz has only occasionally kept wickets for Mumbai. David Warner has kept wickets at the international level in Tests. But considering his age and he is genuine captaincy option, it is unlikely he will don the big gloves for DC.
In light of this, former Indian cricketer Ajit Agarkar has suggested that the DC should bring in Phil Salt, a wicketkeeper-batsman. Agarkar believes that Salt would be a strong addition to the DC squad, as he has a good track record as a batsman and is also a reliable wicketkeeper. It is unclear whether Sourav Ganguly and Ricky Ponting will consider this option. Both Ganguly and Ponting have not yet commented on the matter. It remains to be seen who they will bring in as a replacement for Pant.
In the meantime, Sarfaraz Khan would need a lot of training from the DC if he is to perform well behind the stumps. While he may not be the team’s first choice, he will have the opportunity to prove his worth and help guide the DC to victory in Pant’s absence.
DC Full Squad IPL 2023:
IPL 2023: Delhi Capitals in BIG FIX over WICKETKEEPER, Sarfaraz only BACKUP keeper, Agarkar wants Phil Salt to keep, Ganguly-Ponting to take call on Rishabh Pant replacement, Check OUT
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