Ahead Of Match vs GT, DC Skipper Axar Patel Gives Big Update On Faf Du Plessis' Availability

Axar Patel, the Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper, said he is hoping vice-captain Faf du Plessis would be back for their next game against Gujarat Titans (GT) on Saturday, adding that the physio will inform him about his match fitness status. Du Plessis has missed DC's matches against Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals due to an unspecified injury, whose nature has still not been made public. “Till now I was told that he can't play for three matches. He has been doing the recovery, so two matches are over. Maybe against Gujarat, he can play, but that too will have to be checked by physios as to how he is reacting to the injury,” said Axar in the post-match press conference.

Though Abishek Porel has fitted in well as an opener in du Plessis' absence, once he's fit, he could take the place of a struggling Jake Fraser-McGurk who has made just 55 runs in six games at a strike rate of 105.76. Axar, though, said Fraser-McGurk will still get chances to come good in future.

“My thinking is a little different. Like, if there is no start, and still, we are doing well, you have that cushion. When you don't get a start, and if you win, you have that cushion of going with the same team. Even I had the same thought – that box is not getting ticked. But he had made big runs at this venue and was having form on his side for us last year.”

“But he is such a player that if you give him a chance and gets big runs, he will totally flip the match in your favour. I know that box is not getting ticked, but we keep talking to him - what he is thinking or not in practice. Yes, that thinking is going on. But when the team wins, you think about all these decisions.”

“Also, we have that cushion, and so, we can give him a little more