Former Indian fast bowler Mohit Sharma questioned Delhi Capitals’ team management after they suffered a thumping nine-wicket loss against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Monday.

DC made three changes to their playing XI but they could not bring their best with the bat. 18-year-old batter Sahil Parakh was given his debut cap but the left-hander was cleaned up by seasoned pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a duck.

Sharma said DC had openers like Abishek Porel and Prithvi Shaw waiting in the wings after Pathum Nissanka could not deliver at the top of the order. Porel eventually came on as an Impact Player after DC were left tottering at 8-6.

DC were eventually bowled out for a meager score of 75 runs after Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar bagged four and three wickets respectively. Mohit Sharma questioned DC for making so many changes to their playing XI.

“You are changing your entire fast bowling unit in the eighth match. Yes, Lungi Ngidi is injured, but so many changes in the eighth match raise a lot of questions. Even your batting is not getting set, and then you send in a new guy. We are happy that an 18-year-old player got a chance, Sahil is a good player, and has done well at the U-19 level. But would you bench your senior players to give him a chance in a situation where you feel you need more runs because 264 were not enough in the last game?” Mohit Sharma said on Cricbuzz.

“Abishek Porel came in as an impact sub, and looked in good touch. The first priority should have been given to Abishek Porel or Prithvi Shaw. You are backing youngsters, that is a good thing, but is this the right time for that? That is the important question to ask,” he added.

Delhi Capitals will next take on Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur, on Friday.