IPL 2020: Ishant Sharma suffers a back injury in training ahead of Delhi Capitals' opening game

Ahead of their opening IPL 2020 encounter against Kings XI Punjab, Delhi Capitals have suffered a major blow as their premier pacer Ishant Sharma has injured himself during a training session. Ishant, after sustaining the injury, is expected to be sidelined from the side for a considerable amount of time.

32-year-old Ishant reportedly injured his back during a training session. He has had a history of injuries in the recent past. In January this year, Ishant was sidelined due to an ankle injury.

He returned a month later to play a Test against New Zealand but endured the same ankle injury, jeopardizing his chances to make a comeback in the national side. After the recurrence of his ankle injury, the speedster was already doubtful for the initial phase of the IPL.

After the ankle injury, Ishant had gone through an extensive rehabilitation procedure at the NCA. In the absence of Ishant, Capitals have multiple like-for-like replacement options such as Harshal Patel, Mohit Sharma and Avesh Khan.

Delhi Capitals’ pace battery also has Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje

Ishant was signed up by Delhi Capitals in 2018 for the salary of INR 1.1 crore. Considering his vast experience, he was expected to lead their bowling force in the UAE this season. He also had an impressive outing in the last IPL edition, picking 13 wickets at an economy of over 7. In 89 IPL games, the lanky pacer has scalped 72 wickets including a five-wicket haul.

Capitals, led by Shreyas Iyer will be aiming to start their campaign on a positive note by defeating the Punjab franchise. After flagging off their campaign against KXIP on September 20th at Dubai, DC will face a dominant Chennai Super Kings side on 25th September.

Apart from Ishant, Capitals’ pace bowling also has the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje. While the spin department will be headed by veterans like Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra. They also have great depth in their batting line-up with the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Shimron Hetmyer and Marcus Stoinis. With several young starlets including skipper Iyer, Capitals will be looking forward to registering their maiden title in the cash-rich league.