Delhi Capitals have an eight-over bank in Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, third spinner becomes a weak link: Aakash Chopra

Delhi Capitals will look to bounce back in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 after having a forgettable season last year. The Delhi-based franchise finished ninth on the points table, only above Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Regular captain Rishabh Pant will be returning to action in IPL 2024 after watching last season from the sidelines due to his near-fatal accident in December 2022. He has an experienced spin-bowling attack at his disposal, comprising the likes of Axar Patel and Axar Patel, who have played a combined 272 international games across formats.

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra recently sang praises of the spin-bowling duo of Kuldeep and Axar. The 46-year-old said that the left-arm wrist spinner has the ability to pick wickets while Axar can bowl with the new ball. However, Chopra wasn't too confident of how a third spinner would fare if given a chance in the playing XI.

"Delhi aren't able to play three spinners and if they do, the third one gets hit nine out of 10 times. They have an eight-over bank in Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, which is very, very good. Kuldeep Yadav is a legit wicket-taker and Axar Patel can bowl even with the new ball," Chopra said in a video on his official YouTube channel.

'Their third spinner becomes a little weak link' - Chopra on Delhi Capitals' bowling woes

The cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra, further spoke about how the likes of Lalit Yadav and Praveen Dubey have been used in the playing XI without much success. While Yadav has picked up 10 wickets at an average of 36.90 and an economy rate of 8.20 for the Capitals, Dubey has featured in just four games and bagged a solitary wicket. Notably, Delhi Capitals will kick-start their IPL 2024 campaign with a clash against Punjab Kings on Saturday, March 23, at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali.

"Their third spinner becomes a little weak link. They get Lalit Yadav to bowl at times and bring Pravin Dubey on other occasions. The third spinner has always been an issue," Chopra concluded.

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