R Ashwin hurts left shoulder in Delhi Capitals' IPL 2020 opener

R Ashwin's fitness was put in doubt after he left the field with a left-shoulder issue, after diving to try and stop a Glenn Maxwell punch down the ground during the Delhi Capitals' IPL 2020 season opener against the Kings XI Punjab in Dubai on Sunday. The Capitals' captain Shreyas Iyer, speaking after the game, indicated the injury was not as serious as it first appeared, but the team was still waiting on the physio's word.

The incident occurred on the last ball of the sixth over of the Kings XI innings, Ashwin's first over of the game, in which he had already sent back Karun Nair and Nicholas Pooran to give the Capitals a distinct edge. Maxwell, the new man in at the fall of Pooran's wicket, drove the ball, Ashwin dived, and looked in pain straightaway after landing awkwardly. Patrick Farhart, the team physio, reached Ashwin on cue, and the bowler went off with his left arm in a makeshift sling, fashioned from his team jersey.

Iyer later sounded a positive note when speaking to the official broadcaster, after his team secured the game in the Super Over, saying, "I briefly spoke to Ashwin, and Ashwin said he'll be ready for the next game, but at the end of the day it's the physio's decision. He [Ashwin] is a strong-minded guy, and hopefully he'll be available."

The Capitals' next game is against Chennai Super Kings on September 25.