Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel handed Sahil Parakh his cap, replacing Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka at the top of the order.
He initially caught the scouts’ eyes during his Under-19 stint for India, where he smashed a brilliant unbeaten 109 against Australia in 2024.
Consequently, DC secured his services in the recent auction for ₹30 lakh, hoping to harness his explosive left-handed batting.
A Challenging Start at the Crease
Unfortunately, the debut did not go as planned for the Maharashtra batter. Facing the veteran RCB seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Parakh was clean bowled for a two-ball duck in the very first over of the match. This early wicket left Delhi Capitals struggling at 0/1 within just two balls. While the result was disappointing, the opportunity marks a massive leap for a player who has only featured in two Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches previously.
DC’s Tactical Shifts and Toss Update
During the toss, Axar Patel mentioned that he would have preferred to bowl first given the small dimensions of the Delhi ground. He also highlighted the need for consistency, especially after recent high-scoring games where luck hasn’t favored their fielding. To strengthen the bowling attack, DC brought in international pacers Dushmantha Chameera and Kyle Jamieson, giving Mukesh Kumar a needed rest.
Sahil Parakh: Profile at a Glance
- Full Name: Sahil Ulhas Parakh
- Age: 18 years, 324 days
- Role: Left-handed batter & Leg-break bowler
- Under-19 Highlight: 109* off 75 balls vs Australia (2024)
- Teams: Delhi Capitals, Maharashtra, India U-19