Delhi Capitals' (DC) opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan believes his team will hold an upper hand against oppositions through their spin arsenal on UAE tracks during the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The IPL 2020 will be played from September 19 to November 10 across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. The surfaces at the three venues traditionally play slow and offer turn to the spinners. Also, with the IPL this time seeing sixty matches played within only a month and a half at limited venues, the deterioration factor is being stressed on quite a lot.
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Dhawan emphasized on this too, especially when the Capitals boast of a strong spin attack, including off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who was traded in last year, and the team's sensible retentions in leg-spinners Sandeep Lamichhahne, Amit Mishra and left-arm spinner Axar Patel.
"With only three venues being used and lots of matches happening, I think during the course of the season, wickets will turn and get slower, and that's where our great spinners in Ashwin, Sandeep, Amit, and Axar will help us. Their experience will be really valuable," Dhawan was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
Ashwin's inclusion is something Dhawan feels pretty pleased about. The experienced cricketer has been one of the best spinners in the IPL.
Dhawan thinks Ashwin's presence will not just help other spinners in the line-up, but also be of immense value to captain Shreyas Iyer, who he hopes maintains an open mind when it comes to the inputs coming his way.
"With Ashwin coming in with his experience, I think he will share his insights. That can be really helpful for the team as well as the captain. I think if Shreyas (Iyer) has an open mind to learn from both seniors and juniors, and he will lead us in the right way," he said.
Apart from the spinners, the Capitals have renowned fast bowlers in Kagiso Rabada, Ishant Sharma also part of their squad.
"I think we have a very balanced side which can do well in the conditions here in UAE," said Dhawan, whose batting at the top will certainly also be key. He is aware of the challenge for batsmen on those tracks and says fluent strokeplay will be difficult.
"Attractive batting also depends on the pitches we get. If the pitches aren't good and have wear and tear, then it becomes difficult to score off the bowlers and at a quick rate," he signed off.
Capitals kick-off their campaign on Sunday (September 20) against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in Dubai.
