Indian batsman Shreyas Iyer was on Wednesday ruled out of the ongoing ODI series against England and the entirety of the impending Indian Premier League (IPL) after dislocating his shoulder in the opening game on Tuesday.
Quoting BCCI sources, PTI reported that Iyer is set to undergo surgery on his left shoulder, which will rule him out for around four months.
He sustained the injury after diving to stop a drive by Jonny Bairstow off the pacer Shardul Thakur in the eighth over of the England innings.
With the IPL commencing in just two weeks, on April 9, the Delhi Capitals will have to replace not only one of their best players from last season but also their captain.
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Here is a look at a few players who can take the mantle of captaincy in Iyer’s absence:
1. Rishabh Pant
The 23-year-old southpaw might seem the unlikeliest choice for skipper from a squad boasting of international captains and vice captains, but, at the moment, Pant is one of the frontrunners for the role.
His fearless, counter-attacking brand of cricket has inspired a number of comeback victories for India in recent months and it seems the Delhi team management might look to instil a similar philosophy in their team as they seek their maiden IPL crown.
2. Ajinkya Rahane
If not the youth and zest of Pant, DC can always rely on the experience and pragmatism of Indian Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane. The 32-year-old led India to a historic Test series win against Australia in the absence of skipper Virat Kohli and has ably led the Rajasthan Royals for a number of years.
His calm demeanour and calculated approach on the pitch make him an ideal candidate for skipper.
3. Steve Smith
Australia’s batting superstar Steve Smith was released by the Rajasthan Royals after an underwhelming season in 2020, with the team finishing bottom of the pile under his leadership.
Smith led the Rising Pune Supergiants to the IPL final in 2017, which they lost by a run to Mumbai Indians.
