IPL 2023: More Trouble for DC as Players' Bats and other equipment Stolen

In what comes as startling news, various cricketing equipment, including sixteen bats, shoes, gloves, and thigh pads, were reported to be stolen from the kitbags of IPL franchise Delhi Capitals’ (DC) players.

IPL teams hire logistics companies to handle the transport of players’ kitbags, and this looks like the first known instance of such theft. The kitbags are often sent ahead to the franchise’s next destination, with the players receiving them once they reach the venue.

However, on this occasion, DC skipper David Warner, English wicket-keeper batter Phil Salt, Aussie all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, and young Indian batter Yash Dhull lost their bats, with some other players losing vital cricketing gear. The bats of overseas players are likely worth around ₹1 Lakh each.

The above-mentioned DC players were reportedly the first to find out about the issue when they received their kitbags, and they filed a complaint with the team management. While players have requested new bats before their next game against KKR on Thursday, April 20, it is a huge inconvenience and a security worry for players when such incidents happen.

This will most certainly affect the morale of an already struggling DC side, and it’ll be interesting to see if this could galvanize a unit that hasn’t performed in unison thus far.

Delhi Capitals(DC)’s form in IPL 2023

The Delhi Capitals were last in action against the Royal Challengers Bangalore on Saturday, April 15, and while their bowlers got them to a winning position, their batting let them down in the chase.

None of their players, including skipper David Warner has provided the necessary impact to win matches, and time is running out for them to identify and solve their problems.

David Warner is the highest run-scorer for DC in IPL 2023, making 228 runs in five matches, averaging 45.60 and striking at 116.92. No DC bowler has picked up more than four wickets this tournament, with Mukesh Kumar and Kuldeep Yadav the highest wicket-takers with four wickets each.

With five defeats in five, DC will desperately want to get off the mark in their next match on Thursday, a home game against KKR.