Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

Ravichandran Ashwin, who had suffered a left shoulder injury during Delhi Capitals’ first IPL 2020 match against Kings XI Punjab on September 20, is doubtful for the franchise’s second game against Chennai Super Kings in Dubai on Friday.

“Ashwin goes for practice today and that we haven’t taken a call yet if he’s getting to be available or not for tomorrow’s game. we’ll see how the practice goes. We are monitoring him very closely. But yes, if he’s not fit to play tomorrow, we’ve Amit Mishra who is an extremely experienced player. He has been doing well in IPL. So yes that’s a plus point during this squad that we’ve got a replacement ready,” Mohammed Kaif, DC Capitals assistant coach, said during a video conference on Thursday.

The veteran spinner, who picked two wickets within the one over that he bowled, had dived to save lots of a Glenn Maxwell shot and within the process hurt his left shoulder. Ashwin looked in pain after landing awkwardly. He was seen leaving the bottom with team physio Patrick Farhart together with his left arm during a makeshift sling.

“I was in pain as I left the sector last night, but the pain has settled down and therefore the scan reports are pretty encouraging too. Ashwin appreciated the love and support from his fans and expressed it through his official twitter handle.

“Soft tissue injuries will happen tons because after long lay-off players are returning. they’re trying to offer their best shot on the sand-based grounds which isn’t easy. We aren’t won’t to it. The body isn’t won’t to it. it’s totally different. It’s an enormous ground (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) so there’s a lot of running involved which probably don’t match in the training session. Training is about batting, bowling, a little bit of fielding. But the intensity isn’t that very much like match day, so that’s why I feel it’s getting to be a troublesome one on the players this season,” Kaif said when asked whether special precaution must be taken within the UAE grounds.

Ashwin isn’t an exception. So far, Mumbai Indians’ Nathan Coulter-Nile Royal and Challengers Bangalore Chris Morris have suffered side strains even before playing a match. Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Kane Williamson pulled his quadriceps muscles while training while his teammate Mitchell Marsh has also been ruled of the tournament thanks to an ankle injury. Chennai Super Kings’ Ambati Rayudu has suffered a hamstring injury. His teammate Dwayne Bravo arrived from the Caribbean Premier League with a knee injury.

In the Delhi Capitals camp too, aside from Ashwin, there’s another injury concern. Fast bowler Ishant complained of soreness within the back before their first match against KXIP.

“Ishant had gone to the bottom yesterday. He had an honest run. He didn’t bowl. he’s under observation. About his playing against CSK, we’ll take a call after the rehearsal (today) Thursday,” Kaif added.

The former India cricketer added that special focus needed to be put in while fielding as most cricketers are returning after an extended break. “Awareness is important. It’s an enormous ground (Dubai and Abu Dhabi). Lot’s of running involved. many sprinting involved. once you field at the large grounds you’ve got to chop those angles. That’s getting to be the large factor. you would like to be agile,” Kaif said.

“For the last seven or 10 days, there has been a change here within the weather. within the evening around 6-7 pm, there’s a lot of dew at the bottom. At the Dubai stadium, the dew wasn’t that much. At the ICC Academy ground, where we practice, there’s more dew as it’s an open area. Ground fielding is getting difficult. When the ball gets wet and heavy, it’s tough for the players. we’ve to ascertain that the players don’t get injured thanks to hard training. Fielding is some things that take time to urge settled in after an opportunity .”

Kaif added that the IPL may even see more big scores because of the tournament progress. “I think the par score is 160-170 for Abu Dhabi and Dubai where the bottom is big. Of course, for Sharjah, it’s more. But players are rusty now. As they get settled within the par score may become 180-90,” he said.

DC started their campaign with a win against KXIP while CSK won their first game against Mumbai Indian. However, they lost to Rajasthan Royals within the second game.

By Salem Bin Amer

Engineer, Badminton player, Fitness enthusiast and a full-time Content writer.

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