Delhi Capitals face an intriguing captaincy dilemma between Axar Patel and their high-profile new recruit, KL Rahul. Rahul’s likely role as an opener sets the stage for a lineup filled with power hitters. The team has addressed last season’s fast-bowling concerns by adding more firepower, notably Mitchell Starc. However, their middle-order balance and reliance on spinners will be critical areas to watch.
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Delhi Capitals
Number of Players: 23/25
Indian players: 16
Overseas players: 7
Retained players (4): Axar Patel (16.50 Cr), Kuldeep Yadav (13.25 Cr), Tristan Stubbs (10 Cr), Abishek Porel (4 Cr)
Players Bought in the Auction (19)
- Mitchell Starc (11.75 Cr)
- KL Rahul (14 Cr)
- Harry Brook (6.25 Cr)
- Jake Fraser-McGurk (9 Cr, RTM)
- T Natarajan (10.75 Cr)
- Karun Nair (50 Lakh)
- Sameer Rizvi (95 Lakh)
- Ashutosh Sharma (3.80 Cr)
- Mohit Sharma (2.20 Cr)
- Faf du Plessis (2 Cr)
- Mukesh Kumar (8 Cr, RTM)
- Darshan Nalkande (30 Lakh)
- Vipraj Nigam (50 Lakh)
- Dushmantha Chameera (75 Lakh)
- Donovan Ferreira (75 Lakh)
- Ajay Mandal (30 Lakh)
- Manvanth Kumar (30 Lakh)
- Tripurana Vijay (30 Lakh)
- Madhav Tiwari (40 Lakh)
Delhi Capitals can be reasonably pleased with their performance at the auction, assembling a squad that blends youth with experience. However, they might have hoped to secure a top-tier spinner as backup for Kuldeep Yadav. On the positive side, they managed to acquire KL Rahul as both a wicketkeeper and opener at a fair price, with Jake Fraser-McGurk (retained using the RTM card) as a potential opening partner and Abishek Porel slotting in next.
Faf du Plessis provides overseas backup for the top order, while Harry Brook, Tristan Stubbs, and Ashutosh Sharma strengthen the middle order, with Sameer Rizvi offering further depth. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav lead the spin attack, complemented by a versatile pace unit featuring Mitchell Starc, T Natarajan, Mohit Sharma, and Mukesh Kumar (acquired using RTM). Donavon Ferreira serves as an additional wicketkeeping option, while Dushmantha Chameera adds depth to the overseas pace lineup. Towards the end, DC bolstered their roster with several uncapped all-rounders.
DC Squad Overview
Batters: Jake Fraser-McGurk (RTM), Harry Brook, Tristan Stubbs (retained), Faf du Plessis, Karun Nair
Wicketkeepers: KL Rahul, Abishek Porel (retained), Donovan Ferreria
Allrounders: Axar Patel (spin; retained), Ashutosh Sharma (spin), Sameer Rizvi (spin), Darshan Nalkande (pace), Vipraj Nigam (spin), Ajay Mandal (spin), Manvanth Kumar (pace), Tripurana Vijay (spin), Madhav Tiwari (pace)
Spinners: Kuldeep Yadav (retained)
Fast Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Mukesh Kumar, T Natarajan, Mohit Sharma, Dushmantha Chameera
SWOT Analysis of Delhi Capitals (DC) Squad for IPL 2025
Strengths
- World-Class Batting Lineup: Experienced players like Faf du Plessis and Axar Patel, supported by young talent like Jake Fraser-McGurk and Harry Brook.
- Strong Spin Department: Kuldeep Yadav leads alongside Axar Patel.
- Pace Powerhouse: Mitchell Starc and Dushmantha Chameera add lethal pace, complemented by T Natarajan’s accuracy in death overs.
- Versatile All-Rounders: Axar Patel’s consistency and a mix of pace and spin all-round options for flexibility.
Weaknesses
- Inexperienced Indian Core: Several uncapped or inexperienced Indian players, especially in the all-rounders’ section, may struggle under pressure.
- Overreliance on Overseas Stars: Dependence on Starc, Brook, and du Plessis for key performances could hurt if they are unavailable.
- Lack of Power-Hitters: The middle order lacks proven finishers who can accelerate in the death overs.
Opportunities
- Emerging Talent Showcase: Young players like Sameer Rizvi and Darshan Nalkande can seize the platform to shine.
- Captaincy Boost: KL Rahul/Axar Patel’s leadership could harness potential and improve team synergy.
Threats
- Spin-Heavy Strategy Risks: Overdependence on spin could backfire on pace-friendly pitches.
- Injury-Prone Stars: Players like Starc and Natarajan have a history of injuries, potentially weakening the squad mid-tournament.
Read More: IPL 2025 Mega Auction Roundup: How the Ten Teams Line Up After the Mega Auction
FAQs
Who are the key signings for Delhi Capitals in this auction?
DC secured KL Rahul as a wicketkeeper-opener, along with Faf du Plessis, Harry Brook, Tristan Stubbs, and Mitchell Starc.
Did DC address their spin bowling backup?
While DC retained Kuldeep Yadav as their primary spinner, they did not secure a high-profile backup for him.
How is DC’s pace attack shaping up?
The pace unit features Mitchell Starc, T Natarajan, Mohit Sharma, and Mukesh Kumar, with Dushmantha Chameera as an overseas backup.
Who are the key uncapped players in DC’s squad?
Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abishek Porel, Ashutosh Sharma, and Sameer Rizvi are some notable uncapped players added to the team.
