Delhi Capitals traded to acquire Ajinkya Rahane from Rajasthan: Delhi have released two spinners to acquire Rajasthan’s captain.
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It was reported back in August that Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals are in talks regarding Royals captain Ajinkya Rahane playing for Capitals in IPL 2020.
The development had allured a lot of buzz but much nothing was confirmed eventually. Merely hours before the trading window is scheduled to close for this season, both the franchise have put on display a substantial development which sees Rahane moving to DC for IPL 2020.
Rahane, who started IPL 2019 as RR’s captain, was replaced midway by batsman Steve Smith. After Smith returned to perform national duty during the later half of the tournament, Rahane had once again resume the leadership role.
In 14 matches in IPL 2019, the 31-year old cricketer had scored 393 runs at an average of 32.75 and a strike rate of 137.89 including one century (against Delhi Capitals) and half-century each.
A primary reason why this move is intriguing is because Delhi already have a settled opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw. With captain Shreyas Iyer and wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant completing a solid top-order, one can only make sense of the deal if DC release one out these aforementioned names.
Who has Delhi Capitals traded to acquire Ajinkya Rahane from Rajasthan Royals?
Royals, who have also traded all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham to Kings XI Punjab and seamer Dhawal Kulkarni to Mumbai Indians, have acquired two spinners from Capitals.
Mayank Markande, whom Delhi had swapped for all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford, has been released by the franchise without him representing them. The 22-year old spinner had represented MI in IPL 2018 and 2019. In 17 IPL matches, Markande has dismissed 16 batsmen at an average of 26.68, an economy rate of 8.54 and a strike rate of 18.75.
Capitals have also released all-rounder Rahul Tewatia in exchange for Rahane. In the five matches that the 26-year old player had played, he scored 26 and and picked two wickets in IPL 2019.
