IPL 2021: Shams Mulani joins DC as first ever Covid-19 replacement

Mumbai: Delhi Capitals on Thursday roped in young Mumbai all-rounder Shams Mulani as a short-term COVID-19 replacement for Axar Patel, who had tested positive for the virus during his pre-season quarantine.

“Delhi Capitals have brought in Shams Mulani as a short-term COVID-19 replacement for Axar Patel for their VIVO Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 campaign,” said the IPL in a statement.

“Axar had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus during his mandatory quarantine ahead of the season and was subsequently taken to BCCI’s medical facility for isolation and treatment,” it added.

The move comes under the IPL’s Player Regulation 6.1(c), wherein a franchise is allowed to sign a short-term replacement player until the original squad member recovers and is permitted to enter the bio-bubble, which means that Mulani would be a part of the Capitals’ squad until Axar recovers to join them back.

Mulani represents Mumbai in domestic cricket and has featured in 10 First-Class, 30 List A and 25 T20s so far. This will be his maiden experience at the IPL.

However, he will not be permitted to represent another IPL franchise this season once he leaves the Delhi Capitals.

Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals have also signed right-handed middle-order batsman, Aniruddha Joshi as a replacement for their original skipper, Shreyas Iyer, who was ruled out of the IPL 2021 after sustaining an injury during the first ODI of the recently concluded India-England series.

Joshi, a middle-order batsman and an off-spinner, joins his third IPL team, having been a part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals in the past. He represents Karnataka in domestic cricket and has featured in 17 List A and 22 T20 matches so far. (UNI)