Is R Ashwin playing today’s IPL 2020 match vs KKR: Why isn’t Axar Patel playing today’s match?

Dixit Bhargav | 03/10/2020
Is R Ashwin playing today's IPL 2020 match vs KKR: Why isn't Axar Patel playing today's match?

R Ashwin playing today’s IPL 2020 match: The senior spinner from Delhi Capitals had injured his shoulder in their IPL 2020 season opener.

During the 16th match of the ongoing 13th season of the Indian Premier League between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders in Sharjah, Kolkata Knight Riders captain Dinesh Karthik has won the toss and chose to field.

“Going to bowl first. Maybe a little bit to do with the dew. Both games so far have gone with the bowling team. We’re on the right path. Instead of Kuldeep [Yadav], we have Rahul Tripathi. Wanted to add depth to our batting. This is like every Indian ground we play on. Nothing new.” Karthik said during the toss.

As for Delhi Capitals, they will be batting first on an absolute batting beauty. With short boundaries at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Capitals’ batsmen would be looking to make the most of this opportunity.

Is R Ashwin playing today’s IPL 2020 match vs KKR?

Delhi spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who had injured his shoulder in his team’s first IPL 2020 match, is making a comeback after missing a couple of games. The 34-year old player has it in him to leave a massive impact especially whilst playing at a shorter ground.

It is worth mentioning that this is Ashwin’s first season at Capitals. He is coming on the back of leading Kings XI Punjab for a couple of seasons.

Why isn’t Axar Patel playing today’s match vs KKR?

In a bid to accommodate Ashwin, Capitals have chosen to drop all-rounder Axar Patel. A handy option with both the bat and the ball, it is rare to see Patel warming the bench in the IPL.

While veteran spinner Amit Mishra was the one to replace Ashwin in the previous matches, he has secured his spot on the back of picking two wickets at an average of 29, an economy rate of 7.25 and a strike rate of 24.

Patel, on the other hand, had picked two wickets in three matches at an average of 23, an economy rate of 4.60 and a strike rate of 30.

In a bid to ensure that they don’t miss Patel’s contribution with the bat, DC have included pacer Harshal Patel for Ishant Sharma as the former is a worthy candidate down the order.

Post Edited By: Dixit Bhargav
Axar Patel DC Delhi Capitals Indian Premier League IPL 2020 KKR Kolkata Knight riders Ravichandran Ashwin

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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