Delhi Capitals have been one of the under-performing team in Indian Premier League (IPL). Last season for the Delhi Capitals was very fruitful as the team finished third in the season, they had acquired Shikhar Dhawan, Axar Patel and Ishant Sharma which helped them propel to third position this season.
In this year’s auction, Delhi Capitals were successful in acquiring Jason Roy and Chris Woakes on-base price and they were able to buy West Indian middle-order batsman Shimron Hetmeyer and Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis.
The had also acquired Ravichandran Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane in the transfer window as they let go of Jagdeesha Suchith, Sherfane Rutherford and Mayank Markande.
Let’s have a look at the Predicted Playing XI of Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2020:
1. Shikhar Dhawan
The Indian left-handed opener was a key player for Delhi Capitals last season. Shikhar Dhawan was brought back to Delhi from Sunrisers Hyderabad. The left-handed opener played extremely well in the previous season as he paired extremely well with the young Prithvi Shaw to help Delhi Capitals reach the playoffs of the previous season.
Last season he played the role of the senior statesman where he took the team on his shoulder, played with sheer class. In 16 matches, the left-hander amassed 521 runs at an average of 34.73. He was also the leading run-scorer of his team.
2. Prithvi Shaw
The 20-year old batsman from Mumbai made his ODI debut against New Zealand this year. Prithvi Shaw played extremely well in the previous season of IPL as he paired extremely well with the experienced Shikhar Dhawan. Prithvi played an extremely crucial knock in the league phase against Kolkata Knight Riders where missed out on a well deserved hundred at Eden Gardens.
He has played well after coming back from the doping ban. He showed his class in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and also played extremely well in the Ranji Trophy where he scored his first double century.
3. Ajinkya Rahane
The former Rajasthan Royals player was traded to Delhi Capitals, he would look to give stability and would like to provide the experience to the young, dynamic Delhi Capitals team. Rahane could also be used as an opener, the Indian Test Vice-Captain will look to provide the balance to this Delhi Capitals team. He captained the Rajasthan Royals team in the previous two editions of IPL.
Ajinkya Rahane will also be crucial for the success of Delhi Capitals if they have to perform well in the tournament. His experience will come handy to Shreyas Iyer, who will also have the expertise of Ravichandran Ashwin and Shikhar Dhawan.
4. Shimron Hetmeyer
The West Indian middle-order batsman was brought by the Delhi Capitals for a whopping 7.5 crores, which was 15 times more than his base price. Shimron Hetmyer played the last season for the Virat Kohli-led RCB, but couldn’t live up to the expectations.
His recent performances have made him a fan favourite and his batting style would also come in handy when he plays at Kotla. In the previous season, he only had mentionable innings against Sunrisers Hyderabad where he scored 75 off 46 balls.
5. Shreyas Iyer (C)
The talented batsman, who has been with Delhi Capitals since 2014 was appointed the captain of the team in 2018 when Gautam Gambhir stepped down in the middle of the tournament. The Capitals have mostly finished at the bottom of the points table in the history of the IPL. But last season was different as Iyer’s men advanced to the Qualifier 2 where they lost to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Shreyas Iyer stepped up with the bat as well, scoring 463 runs with three fifties to show for his efforts. His recent performances with the bat have made him India’s new no.4. He recently scored his first international century against New Zealand.
6. Rishabh Pant
The 21-year-old, Indian wicket-keeper has often been under the pump for his below-par performances in international cricket. His fearlessness on the pitch has made him a fan favourite but his shot selection has been reckless.
Last season, the southpaw scored 488 runs at an average of 37.53 with a top score of an unbeaten 27-ball 78 against Mumbai Indians (MI). The fact that Rishabh Pant smashed 27 sixes at a strike-rate of 162.66 made him a brute force to reckon with.
7. Marcus Stoinis
The Australian all-rounder was once again the leading run-scorer in Big Bash League, where he helped the Melbourne Stars reach the finals. Stoinis played the last season for Royal Challengers Bangalore where he didn’t perform too well. Hence he was thrown into the auction pool where he set his base price at 1 crore.
Hence, ahead of the auction, the Challengers let him go and he went to the auction at INR 1 crore. DC and the RR were involved in a bidding war after which the former got him in at INR 4.80 crores. Even in DC.
8. Ravichandran Ashwin
The former Kings XI Punjab captain was traded to Delhi Capitals from Kings XI Punjab. On the back of his leadership, KXIP started both the editions with a string of victories. However, the Punjab franchise lost momentum and failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Ashwin has a truckload of experience in the IPL, having picked 125 wickets at an economy of 6.79. Ashwin is also a more than handy prospect with the bat and can get the big shots going.
9. Kagiso Rabada
The South African Pacer will be a key bowler in the Delhi Capitals lineup where he will have to form a terrific partnership with the India southpaw Ishant Sharma. Kagiso Rabada was the man who helped Delhi Capitals win the super over against Kolkata Knight Riders where he yorked the extremely dangerous Andre Russell.
In the previous edition of IPL, he got 25 wickets from 12 games at a strike-rate of 11.2. He didn’t have the best of World Cups and couldn’t make much of an impact for the Jozi Stars in the MSL. But bearing in mind his quality, it’s a matter of time before he finds a rhythm.
10. Sandeep Lamichhane
The Nepali off-spinner has the experience of playing all over the world and his experience of bowling in the powerplays might be exploited very well by Shreyas Iyer. He has been a key player for Delhi Capitals as he has the prized wickets of Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni in his kitty.
Back then, the teenager picked eight wickets at an economy of 9.13 with best figures of 3/40 against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP). Despite not giving him adequate opportunities, DC retained Sandeep for the next season. At the age of 19, Sandeep also has an experience of 62 where he has picked 72 wickets.
11. Ishant Sharma
In 2019, the Capitals drafted in the 31-year-old pacer at INR 1.10 crore. The decision was a bit of a gamble, but it paid off to a great extent. Pairing in with Rabada in the pace unit, Ishant ruffled a few feathers. Ishant Sharma picked up 13 wickets in as many games at an economy of 7.58.
Ishant Sharma’s experience will be key to Capital’s chances as he will pair up with Kagiso Rabada to open the bowling for the Shreyas Iyer led Delhi Capitals.