After a long period of underwhelming performances, Delhi Capitals finally enjoyed some success in last three seasons. They qualified for Playoffs in all three including a runners-up spot in 2020. In 2021, too, they topped the points table but missed out on a final spot after defeats against Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Playoffs. Ahead of 2022, through smart retentions and some excellent buys at the auction, they look like one of the genuine contenders.
Overview
Delhi retained four key players, including potential captain Rishabh Pant. However, they let go of Shreyas Iyer. In the auction, their biggest buy was Shardul Thakur, for 10.75 crores, a key member of the Chennai Super Kings team that won the IPL in 2021.
They also got two Australians for 6.5 crores each. After a forgettable season at Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Player of the Tournament award in T20 World Cup, David Warner returned to the team from where he had started his IPL journey. Mitchell Marsh, also of SRH and winner of the Player of the Tournament at the T20 World Cup, will play alongside him.
With big names like Mustafizur Rahman, K.S. Bharat, Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi, and Rovman Powell along with a host of domestic youngsters like Yash Dhull and Vicky Ostwal, India’s Under-19 World Cup-winning stars, their squad looks impressive.
Full Squad
David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, K.S. Bharat, Mandeep Singh, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Anrich Nortje, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Mustafizur Rahman, Chetan Sakariya, Khaleel Ahmed, Ashwin Hebbar, Ripal Patel, Yash Dhull, Vicky Ostwal, Lungi Ngidi, Tim Seifert, Praveen Dubey, Rovman Powell, Lalit Yadav.
Strengths
- There is no Shikhar Dhawan, but Warner can build a devastating opening partnership with Shaw.
- Similarly in bowling, they can replace Rabada with Ngidi and Thakur to build a very strong pace attack, led by Nortje (if fit) with Mustafizur as a backup.
- Powell can be devastating down the order.
Weaknesses
- Delhi have a solid top four, but they probably lack that one batter.
- Sakariya, Khaleel, and Nagarkoti, the back-up pacers, lack experience.
Probable XI
David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (c), K.S. Bharat, Rovman Powell, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Anrich Nortje, Chetan Sakariya.