Battle of power hitters as Capitals clash with Punjab

Delhi Capitals will need to put the COVID scare in their camp behind when they take on a hot and cold Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League here on Wednesday.

Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh had to be hospitalised after testing positive for COVID, taking the total count to four cases in the Capitals’ camp. However, the other squad members returned negative tests on Monday and all IPL stakeholders will be hoping it stays that when another round of testing is conducted on Tuesday.

Now in absence of Marsh, they would need to suitably find a number three and Mandeep Singh or Sarfaraz Khan could be an option. Warner, Prithvi Shaw and skipper Pant headline a powerful DC line up against a Punjab unit that boasts of Shikhar Dhawan, in-form Liam Livingstone and Shahrukh Khan.

The Pant-led side hasn’t looked too threatening and two wins from five games isn’t a testimony to their skills. Punjab have three wins and as many losses from six games.

As both teams eye a return to winning ways, the batting unit that does well could be the difference. Match shifted to Mumbai from Pune after outbreak The IPL match between COVID-hit Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings was on Tuesday shifted to Mumbai from Pune following a virus outbreak in the Risabh Pant-led team.

In a statement on Tuesday, the BCCI said it has moved the game to Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai to ensure no covid infection goes undetected in the bio-bubble. Five members of Delhi Capitals, including one player in Mitchell Marsh have tested positive. Others down with the virus are physio Patrick Farhart, sports massage therapist Chetan Kumar, team doctor Abhijit Salvi and social media content team member Akash Mane.