The Delhi Capitals announced Bengal wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel as a replacement for Rishabh Pant for the Indian Premier League 2023. The 20-year-old Porel has played 16 first-class matches, three List A matches, and three T20s in his career so far. He has 695 runs to his name at an average of 30.21 and has effected 58 catches and 8 stumpings in first-class cricket.
Porel also notched half-centuries in the semi-final and final of the Ranji Trophy earlier this year. In Pant’s absence, the Delhi Capitals named David Warner their captain for this season of the League. Warner steps in as skipper for Rishabh Pant, who is currently undergoing rehab and recovery.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Axar Patel has been named the team’s vice captain. The franchise also announced former India captain Sourav Ganguly as the franchise’s Director of Cricket. Ganguly has been associated with the Delhi Capitals in the past too, in the role of mentor, during the 2019 season. The Delhi Capitals will be up against the Lucknow Super Giants in their first game of IPL 2023 on Saturday.
The Delhi Capitals have a squad of 25 players (including 8 from abroad).
Players bought: Ishant Sharma (INR 50 lakh), Phil Salt (INR 2 crore), Mukesh Kumar (INR 5.5 crore), Manish Pandey (INR 2.4 crore), and Rilee Rossouw (INR 4.60 crore).
Players retained: Rishabh Pant (c), David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Ripal Patel, Rovman Powell, Sarfaraz Khan, Yash Dhull, Mitchell Marsh, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, Anrich Nortje, Chetan Sakariya, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Khaleel Ahmed, Lungi Ngidi, Mustafizur Rahman, Aman Khan, Kuldeep Yadav, Praveen Yadav, Vicky Ostwal.