The countdown to IPL 2020 continues.
Today we take a look at the team which is surprisingly led by a young Indian captain, the surging Delhi Capitals. The Capitals finally found gained some momentum last year under the leadership of the 25-year old Shreyas Iyer.
They finished at a respectable third place in the IPL 2020 after a string of extremely poor seasons. This year they look to expound upon the positive results of last year towards lifting the IPL trophy.
History
We dial the clock back the see the journey of Capitals or Daredevils as they were famously named. They started extremely strong however their journey took an anti-climactic turn as they started facing ups and downs. They then hit rock bottom as from the period of 2012-2018, the team was placed in the bottom tier with last positions in three of the six years. The team finally placed third in IPL 2019.
2008: 4th place
2009: 3rd place
2010: 5th place
2011: 10th place (out of 10 teams)
2012: 3rd place
2013: 9th place
2014: 8th place
2015: 7th place
2016: 6th place
2017: 8th place
2018: 8th place
2019: 3rd place
Squad for IPL 2020
Shreyas Iyer (captain), Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Shimron Hetmyer, Lalit Yadav, Marcus Stoinis, Rishabh Pant, Alex Carey, Ravichandra Ashwin, Axar Patel, Amit Mishra, Sandeep Lamichhane, Kagiso Rabada, Avesh Khan, Harshal Patel, Ishant Sharma, Keemo Paul, Mohit Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, Anrich Nortje, Daniel Sams.
How will they do in IPL 2020?
BATTING – The Capitals’ batting is certainly promising but looks like a double-edged sword. The team may have accommodated too many openers or batsmen who are suitable to play only at the top order. Shikhar Dhawan will potentially open and youngster Prithvi Shaw might probably get the nod over Rahane. That would just be a wastage of resources. Also, if they decide to play all three, that would shift captain Iyer down at fourth place which would again be an underutilization of resources.
The franchise has a strong middle order though with Shimron Hetmyer, Rishabh Pant, Marcus Stoinis, and Keemo Paul. However, they will have to deliver consistently.
BOWLING – The bowling, on the other hand, seems well-equipped. The spin department especially has a unique blend of variety and experience. The team will have the services of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, leg-spinner Amit Mishra, left-arm spinner Axar Patel, and mystery spinner Sandeep Lamichhane.
The fast bowling department, however, will have to tighten up. Kagiso Rabada will have to lead the bowling attack. However experienced candidates like Ishant Sharma, Mohit Sharma along with young bowlers like Harshal Patel and Avesh Khan will have to contribute.
The team faced two massive setbacks with Englishmen Jason Roy and Chris Woakes pulling out of the tournament. Delhi will have to sort their top-order issues while their middle-order and pace bowling line up must step for them to make into the playoffs. Will Delhi Capitals lift the IPL 2020 trophy? What are your thoughts? Do let us know in the comments down below…
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