Fifth-placed Delhi Capitals (DC) will be up against the in-form Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a crucial game concerning the playoff qualification for the 2024 IPL season. The match is set to be played at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday evening
Entering the game on Sunday, DC will be without arguably their best player in the IPL this season, the skipper, Rishabh Pant. The DC wicket-keeper has been in sensational form for his side since returning to playing cricket after his unfortunate accident, back in December 2022 but will be suspended for the must-win game against RCB.
BET NOW: Exclusive sign-up offers and bonuses when you bet on IPL action
Why has Pant been suspended?
The DC captain along with the team was found guilty of breaching the IPL code of conduct for maintaining a slow-over rate in their win over the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Arun jaitley stadium on Tuesday.
READ MORE: Who is the best commentator in IPL 2024?
This was the third-time that DC have breached the code of conduct this season. As a result, Pant has been suspended for one game, being the skipper of the team. He was also fined INR 30 lakhs while the rest of the team along with the impact player was fined INR 12 lakhs.
DC made an appeal against the decision, citing a number of reasons for the delay including the time delay during the controversial dismissal of RR skipper Sanju Samson and RR hitting 13 sixes in their innings. However, their appeal was dismissed and Pant has remained suspended for the game.
READ MORE: Who will win IPL 2024? Chances and odds for favourites detailed
Who will be the DC captain against RCB?
Talking to the press ahead of the game, DC head coach, Ricky Ponting revealed that vice-captain, Axar Patel will be leading the all important game for the 2020 finalists against RCB on Sunday evening.
Axar Patel will be our captain tomorrow. He's obviously been vice-captain of this franchise now for the last couple of seasons. Obviously very experienced IPL player, experienced international player, very sensible guy, understands the game really well. He's really excited, to be honest. We started talking about it a couple of days ago when there was a possibility that Rishabh might be banned, so he's got his head around it, we've done our bowlers' meetings today. He'll catch up with all the guys tonight, go through all the plans, and make sure he's ready to lead the team well tomorrow. What I know about him is, you've only got to watch the way he goes about his cricket to understand that he is a sensible guy that's always involved and in tune with the game, so I'm sure he'll lead the team really well tomorrow.
Following the game against RCB, DC will be taking on the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their final league game of the season. The Capitals will need to win both the games in order to qualify for the playoffs.