Delhi Capitals became the first franchise to rope in a player as a COVID-19 replacement in the IPL 2021. The franchise has signed a 24-year-old all-rounder Shams Mulani as a short-term replacement for Axar Patel, who tested positive for COVID-19 before the tournament.
Axar tested positive for COVID-19 just a week before the start of the 14th edition of IPL. Delhi Capitals shared an official statement in this regard, which read:
“He had checked into the team hotel in Mumbai on March 28, 2021, with a negative report. His report from the second COVID test, came positive. He is currently in isolation at a designated medical care facility.”
Signing Mulani comes as a relief for the DC franchise as their regular captain Iyer has already been ruled out from the entire season of IPL. Moreover, ace pacer Ishant Sharma is also reported to have a slight niggle.
Mulani is a left-handed batsman and a slow left-arm orthodox bowler from Mumbai who has thus far played 10 First-Class, 30 List A and 25 T20s. Moreover, Mulani will not be permitted to represent another IPL franchise this season once he leaves the Delhi Capitals.
Anirudha Joshi, who has been roped in as skipper Iyer’s replacement, is a middle-order batsman and an off-spinner. Joshi has been a part of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals in the past. He represents Karnataka in domestic cricket and has featured in 17 List A and 22 T20 matches so far.
