IPL 2021: Shams Mulani Joins DC As Axar Patel's Replacement For Brief Period

Mumbai left-arm spinner Shams Mulani has joined Delhi Capitals as a short-term replacement for Axar Patel in the ongoing Indian Premier League. Left-arm spinner Axar had tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the season and is under isolation and treatment.

"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 a statement from the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Axar had tested positive for the Covid-19 virus during his mandatory quarantine ahead of the season and was subsequently taken to BCCI's medical facility for isolation and treatment.

"Mulani, a left-handed batsman and a slow left-arm orthodox bowler from Mumbai comes in as a replacement under VIVO IPL's Player Regulations. Under Regulation 6.1 (c), franchisees are allowed to sign a short-term replacement player until the original squad member is permitted to re-enter the team's bio-secure environment," the statement said further.

"Hence, Mulani will only be a part of the Delhi Capitals side until Axar recovers and is allowed to join the team," the statement added. This will be 24-year-old Mulani's first stint in IPL. He has featured in 10 first-class, 30 domestic one-dayers, and 25 T20s for his state team Mumbai so far.

Delhi Capitals have also signed Anirudha Joshi as a replacement for the injured Shreyas Iyer for the remainder of the tournament. Iyer was ruled out of the tournament after sustaining an injury during the recent India-England One-Day International series.

Joshi, a middle-order batsman, and an off-spinner join 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 domestic one-dayers and 22 T20 matches so far.