IPL 2022 | Delhi Capitals report card: Middle-order chaos, absence of Prithvi Shaw in crucial game cost playoffs
India Today
Delhi Capitals finished fifth in the IPL 2022 after losing their final league match to Mumbai Indians. The team paved way for Royal Challengers Bangalore to qualify for playoffs.
Delhi Capitals had their fate in their hands till the very end, but the team eventually crashed out of the Indian Premier League 2022. The franchise had many ups and downs throughout the 2022 season, including Covid-19 outbreak and the no-ball controversy.
The Delhi-based franchise started off well before losing two back-to-back matches. From thereon, Rishabh Pant-led side saw a pattern of winning and losing to eventually finish fifth with seven wins and as many loses.
Their 14th match was a do-or-die game to secure the qualification berth. Delhi Capitals collapsed and paved way for Royal Challengers Bangalore to enter the playoffs.
Australia opener David Warner was the most valuable player for Delhi Capitals. Warner, who faced an unceremonious exit from SunRisers Hyderabad, was snapped by the Delhi-based franchise at the mega auction for Rs 6.25 crores. He, along with Prithvi Shaw and compatriot Mitchell Marsh, formed formidable partnerships at different stages of the tournament. His best came against his former team, SunRisers, as he scored an unbeaten 92 and also stitched a match-winning 122-run partnership with Rovman Powell. He was also part of a 144-run stand with Marsh against Rajasthan Royals.
Rishabh Pant's captaincy looked uninspiring throughout the season. Some hasty decisions, bringing some impactful bowlers late into the match and not completing some bowlers' overs, cost Delhi Capitals their matches. Besides this, Pant's actions amid the no-ball drama didn't settle with the fans and commentators. He signalled his batters Rovman Powell and Kuldeep Yadav to walk off the field when the on-field umpire didn't signal the no-ball. Moreover, assistant coach Praveen Amre went against the rules and stepped on to the field to talk to the umpire. Eventually, Pant and Shardul Thakur were fined and Amre was banned for one match.
The ² bond that we always love to see #YehHaiNayiDilli #MIvsDC @RishabhPant17 @RickyPonting pic.twitter.com/UBJBzRND5L
