Anrich Nortje to play DC vs MI IPL Match 13? Predicted changes for Chennai pitch and conditions

Anrich Nortje IPL: Delhi Capitals have won two of their three games so far in the IPL 2021 and are looking in fine form. However, they would be a bit worried about their bowling arsenal as they have struggled in certain phases during bowling. DC conceded 188 runs in the first game and then failed to defend a total of 147 runs in the second game against Rajasthan Royals. In their previous game, Delhi bowlers conceded 195 runs against PBKS. So the team management might want to reconsider their bowling options. That brings us to the pertinent question: Will Anrich Nortje play in the DC vs MI IPL match 13?

Anrich Nortje to play DC vs MI IPL Match 13?

South African players including Quinten de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, David Miller and A Nortje arrived late in the IPL 2021 as they were on national duties. As they arrived late, they had to go through the mandatory quarantine period of 7 days before entering their respective team bubbles.

However, A Nortje tested positive for Covid-19, just when the quarantine was supposed to get over. Thus this delayed his inclusion in the tournament. Fortunately, he turned negative in the next three tests and thus became a part of DC’s squad.

So, Nortje is available for the DC vs MI game. Infact he was also available for the previous game against Punjab Kings.

Delhi’s selection woes and Nortje’s fate

Delhi Capitals can only field 4 overseas players in their playing XI. Hence, they couldn’t fit in A Nortje in the last game. Kagiso Rabada is the leader of their bowling attack while Marcus Stoinis gives them power in the middle-order and also works as the sixth bowling option.

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Which leaves two open spots. In the last match, Delhi went with Steve Smith to get more stability at the number three position. Chris Woakes, meanwhile had bowled exceptionally well in the first two games picking up 4 wickets. So he deserved selection. Hence, A Nortje couldn’t find a place in the playing XI.

Can A Nortje play in DC vs MI game?

Things though can change for the clash against MI as the match will be played at Chennai. Chris Woakes was expensive in the previous game and Chennai’s pitch might not offer swing in the early stages. So Delhi might be tempted to replace him with A Nortje.

Nortje’s extra pace would come in handy to neutralize Mumbai’s powerful batting order. The Proteas pacer claimed 22 wickets in the 2020 season in 16 games at a strike-rate of 16.63.

Read: Possible Playing 11 of Mumbai Indians

DC vs MI Playing 11 (With Predicted Changes)

Delhi Capitals XI:

Shikhar Dhawan
Prithvi Shaw
Steve Smith
Rishabh Pant (w/c)
Marcus Stoinis
Ravichandran Ashwin
Kagiso Rabada
Lalit Yadav
A Nortje
Lukman Meriwala
Avesh Khan

Delhi won their previous game. So barring A Nortje, the team may not tinker with their winning combination.

Mumbai Indians XI:

Rohit Sharma
Quinton de kock
Suryakuma Yadav
Ishan Kishan (WK)
Hardik Pandya
Kieron Pollard
Krunal Pandya
Adam Milne
Rahul Chahar
Trent Boult
Jasprit Bumrah

Mumbai has a balanced team and they are having winning momentum. So they too won’t change their playing XI.

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