Delhi Capitals have named replacements for their injured skipper Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel who is currently in an extended quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19. While Anirudha Joshi has come into the squad in place of Iyer, Shams Mulani is an interim replacement, joining the franchise only till Axar fully recovers.
“Delhi Capitals have brought in Shams Mulani as a short-term COVID-19 replacement for Axar Patel for their VIVO Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 campaign,” said a statement from the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Axar had tested positive for Covid-19 virus during his mandatory quarantine ahead of the season and was subsequently taken to BCCI's medical facility for isolation and treatment.
"Mulani, a left-handed batsman and a slow left-arm orthodox bowler from Mumbai, comes in as a replacement under VIVO IPL's Player Regulations. Under the Regulation 6.1 (c), franchises are allowed to sign a short-term replacement player until the original squad member is permitted to re-enter the team's bio-secure environment," the statement said further.
"Hence, Mulani will only be a part of the Delhi Capitals side until Axar recovers and is allowed to join the team," the statement added.
This will be 24-year-old Mulani’s first stint in IPL. He has featured in 10 first-class, 30 domestioc one-dayers and 25 T20s for his state team Mumbai so far.
Delhi Capitals have also signed Anirudha Joshi as a replacement for the injured Shreyas Iyer for the remainder of the tournament. Iyer was ruled out of the tournament after sustaining an injury during the recent India-England One-Day International series.
Joshi, a middle-order batsman and an off-spinner, joins his third IPL team, having been a part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals in the past. He represents Karnataka in domestic cricket and has featured in 17 domestoc one-dayers and 22 T20 matches so far.
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