Delhi Capitals will be aiming for their elusive Indian Premier League (IPL) title this year under their new captain, Axar Patel. Rishabh Pant, who previously led the team, will now be representing the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
With a new captain and a star-studded lineup, Delhi will be hoping to make a mark this season. Despite being a consistently strong team, they have only reached the final once, where they fell short against the Mumbai Indians in 2020.
They have added the likes of KL Rahul to their batting lineup and will be bolstered by Mitchell Starc in their bowling attack.
Squad:
KL Rahul, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Karun Nair, Faf du Plessis, Donovan Ferreira, Abishek Porel, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Sameer Rizvi, Ashutosh Sharma, Darshan Nalkande, Vipraj Nigam, Ajay Mandal, Manvanth Kumar, Tripurana Vijhay, Madhav Tiwari, Mitchell Starc, T. Natarajan, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Dushmantha Chameera, Kuldeep Yadav.
Probable Playing XI:
- Faf du Plessis
- Jake Fraser-McGurk
- Abishek Porel
- KL Rahul
- Tristan Stubbs
- Axar Patel
- Sameer Rizvi
- Ashutosh Sharma
- Mitchell Starc
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohit Sharma
Impact Player: Karun Nair / Vipraj Nigam
Key Players:
Jake Fraser-McGurk:
Jake is expected to be one of the standout players for Delhi this season. Since 2023, he has recorded the third-highest PowerPlay strike rate in T20 cricket at an impressive 168.04, only behind Travis Head (184.8) and Abhishek Sharma (181.47).
In 2024, he made a spectacular IPL debut for the Delhi Capitals, scoring 330 runs at an incredible strike rate of 234.04. Due to his outstanding performances, he was retained before the auction. As an opener, he is expected to provide explosive starts, especially on the batting-friendly pitches of Delhi and Visakhapatnam.
Axar Patel:
Axar Patel will be another key player for Delhi. As captain, he will have to lead from the front to ensure Delhi secures a playoff spot after missing out for the last three years.
His performance in the Champions Trophy was impressive, scoring 109 runs with the bat and taking five wickets. One of Axar’s strongest qualities is his ability to provide batting flexibility while being a reliable bowler.
Strengths:
Delhi Capitals boast a strong batting lineup, led by openers Jake Fraser-McGurk and Abhishek Porel. Fraser-McGurk’s outstanding debut season, where he amassed 330 runs at a strike rate of 234.04, highlights the team’s aggressive approach. His 266 runs at a strike rate of 250.94 during the PowerPlay were particularly impressive.
South African batter Tristan Stubbs, who demonstrated his finishing ability with 378 runs at a strike rate of 190.90 last season, strengthens the middle order. Additionally, the signing of Ashutosh Sharma, who performed admirably for Punjab Kings last season, further bolsters the batting lineup.
The Capitals have also assembled a formidable pace attack. Their marquee signing, Mitchell Starc, who performed exceptionally well for the Kolkata Knight Riders last season, brings invaluable experience and skill.
Natarajan, one of the best death-over bowlers in IPL 2024, adds depth to the attack with 19 wickets last season. The presence of seasoned pacer Mohit Sharma (40 wickets for Gujarat Titans) and Mukesh Kumar (17 wickets last season) makes Delhi’s bowling lineup a strong force.
Weaknesses:
Despite their strengths, the Delhi Capitals have a few glaring weaknesses that could affect their chances in the 2025 Indian Premier League.
One major concern is their top-order dilemma. Fraser-McGurk and Porel are both fighting for opening slots, while KL Rahul usually prefers to open as well. If Rahul is pushed down to No. 3, his tendency for slow starts could disrupt the team’s overall scoring tempo.
Another major issue is their struggle against spin, which was evident last season. Delhi had the lowest batting average against spinners among all teams, scoring at just 7.95 runs per over.
Fixtures:
- Mar 24, Monday, DC vs LSG
- Mar 30, Sunday, DC vs SRH
- Apr 5, Saturday, DC vs CSK
- Apr 10, Thursday, DC vs RCB
- Apr 13, Sunday, DC vs MI
- Apr 16, Wednesday, DC vs RR
- Apr 19, Saturday, DC vs GT
- Apr 22, Tuesday, DC vs LSG
- Apr 27, Sunday, DC vs RCB
- Apr 29, Tuesday, DC vs KKR
- May 5, Monday, DC vs SRH
- May 8, Thursday, DC vs PBKS
- May 11, Sunday, DC vs GT
- May 15, Thursday, DC vs MI
The Delhi Capitals have a good chance of winning the 2025 Indian Premier League with a well-rounded squad. KL Young openers Fraser-McGurk and Porel can make a potent duo, while Rahul’s aggressive batting and experience can offer steadiness. Mitchell Starc and Natarajan will front the bowling attack; Starc wants to prove his mettle in Twenty20 Internationals, while Natarajan wants to become India’s best death over bowler.
