Ajinkya Rahane Likely to Play for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020

After playing nine years, Ajinkya Rahane might not be seen in Rajasthan Royals’ blue in the 2020 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Delhi Capitals have been known to be interested in Rahane for a while now.

Multiple sources have reported that the formalities between the two teams for the transfer of  Rahane have been completed and an official announcement might come anytime soon.

Sportstar have reported that the Capitals are looking to bring in two players for the Royals in place of Rahane- Mayank Markande and Rahul Tewatia.

Delhi Capitals’ interest in Rahane was known from a time when the current BCCI president Sourav Ganguly was involved in their backroom staff.

Rahane’s proposed trade is coming in after he was axed from captaincy last season in favour of Steve Smith.

Assuming Rahane does join Delhi in the near future, the point worth noting is the already strong top order of Delhi. In an opening combination of Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan, followed by Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant and Hanuma Vihari also in the mix, it will be interesting to see where they fit in Rahane.

It could be that Rahane might play at no. 3 with Iyer and the batsman following dropping a place, or Rahane opening with either Dhawan or Shaw dropping to No. 3. Either way, their skipper Shreyas Iyer will have to go down a position in the batting order.

This season has seen quite a few trades. Only the other night, Trent Boult’s move to Mumbai Indians was announced after Chennai Super Kings also announced the release of a few players.

A few of the other moves include K Gowtham joining Kings XI Punjab, Ankit Rajpoot going to Rajasthan Royals and Dhawal Kulkarni added by Mumbai Indians.

While Chennai Super Kings have released Kedar jadhav, Ambati Rayudu and Shardul Thakur,  Evin Lewis is set to be released by Mumbai Indians.