New Delhi: Veteran Indian cricketer Ishant Sharma has been part of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) T20 2024 but the fans are waiting to see the lanky pacer in action. Ishant was one of the key international stars named in the Purani Dilli 6 squad.
Ishant and stylish Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant were part of the 21-member squad of Purani Dilli 6, one of the six teams in the first season of DPL T20 2024. Pant played the tournament opener against South Delhi Superstarz on August 17.
He left the squad to be part of the India B team in the Duleep Trophy 2024 season, which is the curtain raiser for the Indian domestic season and will start on September 5. Ishant Sharma hasn’t played for Purani Dilli 6 in their seven matches played so far, hinting at injury concerns.
Nonetheless, team opener Arpit Rana, who was named as captain in the last match against North Delhi Strikers on Tuesday (August 27), clarified that the 35-year-old speedster has a soft niggle. He will be available for the knockout stage, subject to qualification.
“As such there is no injury. But his ankle has a little bit of swell, it is a soft niggle. If we qualify (for the semis) then Ishant bhaiya will definitely play,” Arpit told News9 in an exclusive interview.
How has Purani Dilli 6 played so far in the DPL T20 2024?
Purani Dilli played the tournament opener against South Delhi Superstarz. The team has seen a roller-coaster ride with three wins and four losses.
Despite putting up a competitive total of 197 on the board, the Rishabh Pant-led side lost by three wickets. Lalit Yadav took over the captaincy reigns after Pant’s departure from the squad. The team next lost to East Delhi Riders by five wickets to start the tournament on a poor note.
Pacer Laxman’s three wickets followed by a cautious half-century from Arpit (56 runs from 43 balls) helped Purani Dilli to register their first win against West Delhi Lions. Combined bowling efforts from Ayush Singh (3/34) and Lalit Yadav (2/15) inspired the team to a six-wicket win. Lalit also contributed with the bat, with his unbeaten 44 runs coming in 31 balls, including six boundaries and a six.
The Lalit Yadav-led side was handed a 109-run drubbing after being bowled out for 108 while chasing an enormous score of 218 against Central Delhi Kings. Arpit Rana captained the team in their 20-run win over North Delhi side with Lalit purely playing as a captain, a move inspired by the team management.
The team is placed fourth on the points table (six points after seven matches) and remains in the race of qualification with the top six teams making the cut for the semifinals.
Ishant Sharma is yet to make his debut in the ongoing Delhi Premier League (DPL) T20 2024 despite being present in the dugout of the Purani Dilli 6 during their matches. In an exclusive chat with News9, team captain Arpit Rana mentions the reason behind veteran pacer missing out from the team’s playing XI. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
