Is Mitchell Marsh ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2024?
Delhi Capitals (DC) all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been out of action over the last four games of IPL 2024 due to a torn hamstring injury.
Marsh returned home to Perth on April 12 to consult Cricket Australia's (CA) medical staff. However, the latest reports from ESPNCricinfo have confirmed that the 30-year-old will not return to India and will miss the remainder of the tournament.
Australia's premium all-rounder last played in DC's fourth match of the season against the Kolkata Knight Riders in which he was dismissed for no score. Marsh played the first four games for the Capitals but struggled with bat and ball.
He averaged only 15.25 with a highest score of 23 in four innings and picked up the lone wicket at an average of 103 and a dismal economy of almost 13.
Mitchell Marsh is likely to lead Australia in the upcoming T20 World Cup, starting June 1, and will look to recover before the start of the Mega event.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Capitals have endured a dismal season so far, winning only three out of eight games to find themselves third to bottom on the points table.
"I don't think the T20 World Cup would be an issue" - Ricky Ponting on Mitchell Marsh
DC head coach Ricky Ponting confirmed Mitchell Marsh's absence for the rest of the IPL but felt the all-rounder will likely play in the T20 World Cup that follows.
Marsh exited the IPL midway through last year also after playing only nine games as DC finished second to bottom on the points table.
"I don't think he'll be coming back. There's a certain cut off point with replacement players. Cricket Australia were keen to have him at home to start his recovery process and we sent him back as soon as we could. They've been managing his rehab for a couple of weeks now. I spoke to him the other day and it seems it's taken a little longer than he first thought to get over it. I don't think the T20 World Cup would be an issue," said Ponting as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
Delhi will now have to win at least five of their final outings to harbor hopes for playoff qualification. They will take on the Gujarat Titans at home in their next encounter on Wednesday, April 24.