Delhi Capitals’ assistant coach Pravin Amre has provided an update on the fitness of David Warner and Ishant Sharma, stating that both players will require another week to regain full fitness. Warner sustained a finger injury while attempting a lap shot against Lucknow Super Giants on April 12, while Ishant is recovering from back spasms.
Warner missed DC’s subsequent matches against Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad, and has since sat out two more games, including the recent victory over Mumbai Indians. Ishant, on the other hand, has been sidelined for the past two games due to back spasms.
Amre expressed optimism that both players will be ready for selection when DC returns to Delhi after their upcoming match against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 29. “I think Warner will take one more week [to be fully fit] and so will Ishant,” Amre said. “They will be ready for selection when we return to Delhi.”
In the absence of Warner and Ishant, DC has relied on the contributions of other players, including Jake Fraser-McGurk, who has impressed with his recent performances. Fraser-McGurk, who was drafted into the squad as a replacement for Lungi Ngidi, has scored 247 runs in five innings, including three half-centuries.
Amre praised Fraser-McGurk’s abilities, highlighting his “X-factor” and his ability to open up the game with his aggressive batting. “He played just three innings [in the ILT20] before leaving to play for Australia but even in that, he played a couple of match-winning innings,” Amre said. “Those knocks were something special. Given he is a young, exciting cricketer, we decided to back him.”
DC’s next match is against Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata on April 29, before they return home to play against Rajasthan Royals on May 7. The team will be hoping to maintain their winning momentum and continue their push for a playoff spot.
