Delhi Capitals’ Coach Mohammad Kaif Shares 'New Updates' on Ashwin's Shoulder Injury 

Renowned off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who had suffered a left shoulder injury during Delhi Capitals’ first IPL 2020 match against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) seems to be doubtful for the upcoming game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) today.  

Mohammed Kaif, DC Capitals assistant coach, gave further updates on the same through video conference stating that “Ashwin is going for practice today and we haven’t taken a call yet if he is going to be available or not for tomorrow’s game. We will see how the practice goes. We are monitoring him very closely. But yes, if he is not fit to play tomorrow, we have Amit Mishra who is very experienced player. He has been doing well in IPL. So yes that’s a plus point in this squad that we have got a replacement ready."

“Soft tissue injuries will take place a lot because after long lay-off players are coming back. They are trying to give their best shot on the sand-based grounds which is not easy. We are not used to it. Body is not used to it. It is totally different. It’s a big ground (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) so there's a lot of running involved which probably don’t match in training sessions. Training is about batting, bowling, bit of fielding. But intensity is not that much as match day, so that’s why I feel it is going to be a tough one on the players this season,” Kaif added, when asked about special precautions needed in the UAE grounds. 

The shoulder injury happened when Ashwin, who took two wickets in the one over had dived to save a Glenn Maxwell shot. In that process, he hurt himself where he looked in pain after landing awkwardly. Later in the match, he had to leave the ground with team physio Patrick Farhart.

Meanwhile, a day after the match, Ashwin took to his official twitter handle saying, “I was in pain as I left the field last night, but the pain has settled down and the scan reports are pretty encouraging too. Thanks for all your love and support." 

So far in IPL 2020, DC started their campaign with a win against KXIP while CSK won their first game against Mumbai Indian.