Former Australian skipper and Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting took a dig at all-rounder Axar Patel and spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who combinedly scalped 59 wickets for India in the recent Test series against England which India won 3-1. While Axar became the joint highest wicket-taker in a debut Test series for India, Ashwin finished with 32 scalps, the most by any bowler in the series. Ponting is hoping that the spin duo has some wickets left to take in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.
If Axar and Ashwin — who both play for the Delhi Capitals — starred with the ball, wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant played a match-winning century in the fourth and final Test against England which India won on Saturday in Ahmedabad. The Delhi Capitals head coach also wished that Pant will replicate his performance in the cash-rich league slated to begin from April 9.
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Tweeting about the same, Ricky Ponting wrote: “Can’t wait to get over to @delhicapitals and get to work. Hope @akshar2026 and @ashwinravi99 have some wickets left after taking all of them in the last month, and @rishabhpant17 has more runs to make!”
Can't wait to get over to @delhicapitals and get to work. Hope @akshar2026 and @ashwinravi99 have some wickets left after taking all of them in the last month, and @rishabhpant17 has more runs to make! https://t.co/5Q8btBhjqq
— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) March 8, 2021
The IPL Governing Council on Sunday announced the schedule for the 14th edition of the cash-rich league which will be taking place in India across six venues from April 9. Defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Chennai in the tournament opener.
Each team will be playing their games at four venues during the league stage. Out of the 56 league matches, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru will host 10 matches each while Ahmedabad and Delhi will host 8 matches each. While the playoffs and the final will be taking place in Ahmedabad.
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One of the highlights of this edition of the IPL will be the fact that all matches will be played at neutral venues, no team will play at their home venue. All teams will play at four out of six venues during the league stage.