Delhi Lose Ishant Sharma for Rest of IPL 2020

Fast bowler injured

Ishant Sharma playing for India

Fast bowler Ishant Sharma has been ruled out of the remainder of the Delhi Capitals' 2020 Indian Premier League campaign.

Sharma played just one match in the IPL 2020 before being sidelined by injury. He is vastly experienced at international level, having played 97 Tests, 80 ODIs and 14 T20Is.

“Ishant experienced an acute episode of left rib cage pain while bowling at a team training session on 7 October 2020 in Dubai,” read a statement from the franchise.

“Subsequent investigations revealed that he sustained a left internal oblique muscle tear. This injury will, unfortunately, rule him out of the remainder of the Indian Premier League 2020.”

Sharma represented the Rising Pune Supergiant, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders before joining Delhi.

Delhi's Other Injuries

This is the third major exit for Delhi this season. England all-rounder Chris Woakes withdrew from the squad before the tournament started. Leg-spinner Amit Mishra was recently ruled out of the competition due to injury, too.

South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje replaced Woakes in the Capitals' squad. Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, meanwhile, has been temporarily sidelined by a hamstring injury.

IPL Background

Delhi have never won the IPL. They remain in pursuit of a maiden title. The franchise is coached by former Australian captain Ricky Ponting.

The Mumbai Indians are the reigning champions. They beat the Chennai Super Kings in the 2019 final. Mumbai have four titles and Chennai three. The Kolkata Knight Riders have won the IPL twice. The Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals have one IPL title each.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab have also never won the IPL.

Cricket Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic

This year's IPL is being played in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi are the host cities. The UAE also co-hosted the tournament in 2014.

The 2020 IPL is being played without spectators as a preventative measure against the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Earlier this year, the Caribbean Premier League and the T20 Blast in the United Kingdom were played behind closed doors for the same reason.

South Africa's Mzansi Super League and the Bangladesh Premier League won't be played this year amid the pandemic.

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Jonhenry dedicates his global gaming knowledge to the iGaming industry. He produces content about cricket, in addition to playing and training.