Top News

Mohit Sharma lambasted the Delhi Capitals' thinktank for making multiple changes to the playing XI for the game against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Monday, April 27, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

The former Delhi Capitals' cricketer questioned the decision to field a new-look pace attack and the inclusion of 18-year-old debutant Sahil Parakh ahead of more experienced batters. Parakh was dismissed for a two-ball duck as veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar got the better of him with a peach of a yorker.

"You are changing your entire fast bowling unit in the eighth match. Yes, Lungi Ngidi is injured, but so many changes in the eighth match raise a lot of questions. Even your batting is not getting set, and then you send in a new guy. We are happy that an 18-year-old player got a chance, Sahil is a good player, and has done well at the U-19 level. But would you bench your senior players to give him a chance in a situation where you feel you need more runs because 264 were not enough in the last game?" Mohit Sharma said on Cricbuzz.

Mohit opined that either Abishek Porel or Prithvi Shaw should have been given a chance in the playing XI. Porel eventually came in as the Impact Player after the Capitals lost five wickets inside three overs. The Bengal wicketkeeper top-scored with a 33-ball 30.

"Abishek Porel came in as an impact sub, and looked in good touch. The first priority should have been given to Abishek Porel or Prithvi Shaw. You are backing youngsters, that is a good thing, but is this the right time for that? That is the important question to ask," he added.

The Capitals were bowled out for just 75 in 16.3 overs. In reply, the Royal Challengers overhauled the target in 6.3 overs, with nine wickets to spare. Devdutt Padikkal starred with an unbeaten 34 off 13 balls. Josh Hazlewood was awarded Player of the Match for his excellent spell of 4/12 in 3.3 overs.