They finished sixth last year. After losing four of their first five matches, the Delhi Capitals (DC) faced an uphill battle to recover. Ultimately, they ended the season with seven wins and seven losses, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive time.
Table of Contents
Best Likely XII
- Jake Fraser-McGurk*
- Faf du Plessis*
- KL Rahul (wk)
- Abishek Porel
- Tristan Stubbs*
- Axar Patel
- Ashutosh Sharma
- Sameer Rizvi/Mohit Sharma
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mitchell Starc*
- T Natarajan
- Mukesh Kumar
* denotes overseas player
Full Squad
KL Rahul, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Karun Nair, Faf du Plessis, Donovan Ferreira, Abishek Porel, Tristan Stubbs, Sameer Rizvi, Ashutosh Sharma, Darshan Nalkande, Vipraj Nigam, Ajay Mandal, Manvanth Kumar L, Tripurana Vijay, Madhav Tiwari, Axar Patel (C), Mitchell Starc, T Natarajan, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Dushmantha Chameera
Delhi Capitals’ IPL 2025 Setup: DC Usher in New Era as Axar, Rahul and Starc Lead Revival
A fresh start for DC in IPL 2025. With Rishabh Pant moving to Lucknow Super Giants for a record INR 27 crore, Axar Patel has been entrusted with the captaincy. While names like KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis were in contention, the franchise backed Axar, rewarding his loyalty since 2019. His leadership comes at a time when he is excelling in India’s limited-overs setup, making him a natural choice after being retained for INR 16.5 crore.
The backroom staff has also undergone major changes. Former India batter Hemang Badani has taken over as head coach from Ricky Ponting, marking a significant shift in leadership. Matthew Mott, with experience coaching Australia Women and England Men, steps in as assistant coach. Kevin Pietersen joins as mentor, while 2011 World Cup winner Munaf Patel has been appointed bowling coach, further strengthening the support system.
On the squad front, DC have bolstered both batting and bowling. Mitchell Starc and T Natarajan are marquee additions to the pace attack, alongside Mohit Sharma, who had an impressive IPL 2023. The batting lineup sees the arrival of KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis, the latter also named vice-captain. Karun Nair, Sameer Rizvi, and the promising Ashutosh Sharma add further depth.
Despite missing out on the playoffs in the previous cycle, DC have kept a strong core intact, retaining Axar, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, and Abhishek Porel while re-signing Jake Fraser-McGurk. Mukesh Kumar stays on, and Karun Nair returns to familiar territory.
Pace was a concern last season, prompting heavy investment in Starc (INR 11.75 crore), Natarajan (INR 10.75 crore), Mukesh (INR 8 crore), and Mohit (INR 2.20 crore). Rahul was another major signing at INR 14 crore. The spin department, anchored by Kuldeep and Axar, remains solid. With these reinforcements, DC aim to turn the tide and break into the playoffs this time around.
Watch Out For
KL Rahul
KL Rahul’s heated exchange with Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjeev Goenka was a major talking point last season, as was his auction price of INR 14 crore—significantly lower than what Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and Venkatesh Iyer fetched. Now at DC, Rahul has a fresh start and the freedom to focus solely on his batting. Without the burden of captaincy, he has the chance to rediscover the attacking flair that once defined him. Rahul’s IPL batting average of 45.46 ranks third among players who have featured in at least 20 matches.
After India’s Champions Trophy semifinal, Rahul’s exasperated “What more can I do?” highlighted his ongoing battle for a place in India’s T20I setup. While his ODI spot is secure, questions persist about his IPL strike rate, especially with the rise of more aggressive batters. His LSG exit wasn’t amicable, and all eyes will be on how he adapts at DC. Can he recapture his 2018 form, or is a middle-order reinvention on the cards?
Sameer Rizvi
Sameer Rizvi arrived at Chennai Super Kings with a strong reputation after being bought for a hefty sum, but opportunities were scarce at the five-time champions.
With Harry Brook withdrawing, the Capitals now need someone to step up. Rizvi has been in fine form for Uttar Pradesh, consistently delivering in the middle order. The 2025 season could be his chance to make an impact on the big stage.
Mitchell Starc
Which Mitchell Starc will DC get? His 2024 season with Kolkata Knight Riders was inconsistent, but he delivered when it mattered with match-winning spells in the playoffs. After a long season and an injury layoff, he will be tasked with spearheading DC’s bowling attack.
Jake Fraser-McGurk
Fraser-McGurk was DC’s aggressor in IPL 2024, scoring 330 runs at a blistering strike rate of 234.04. However, his form has dipped significantly since. In 24 T20 matches following the tournament, he has managed just 382 runs at a strike rate of 136.91 and an average of 15.91.
Abhishek Porel
Porel was Bengal’s second-leading run-scorer in the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, amassing 335 runs at a strike rate of 158.76.
Concerns
Brook Faces IPL Ban, DC Bolstered by Fit Starc and Natarajan
DC invested INR 6.25 crore in Harry Brook, but he has withdrawn from the IPL for the second consecutive season. Under the new rule, players who pull out after being picked in the auction face a two-year ban, meaning Brook will be ineligible until IPL 2027.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc, who missed the Champions Trophy with an ankle injury, is fully fit and set to feature throughout IPL 2025. T Natarajan, sidelined for the entire 2024-25 domestic season, has also recovered and is ready to start the campaign.
Fixture Challenges and Key Home Ground Stat
The Capitals will begin their campaign with two matches in their second home, Vizag. By the time they play their first game in Delhi, three weeks of the tournament will have passed. However, DC benefits from ample rest early on, with a five-day gap before both their second and third fixtures. If they start poorly, these breaks will provide valuable time to regroup before the schedule intensifies in mid-April.
Delhi saw the highest average first-innings total last IPL at 235, with both pace and spin facing heavy punishment. Unsurprisingly, DC had the worst death bowling record over the past two seasons. They will be counting on the additions of Starc and Natarajan to turn things around.
Read More: IPL 2025: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Preview – Squad Analysis of RCB And Starting XI
FAQs
Who is the captain of Delhi Capitals for IPL 2025?
Axar Patel has been named DC’s captain after Rishabh Pant moved to Lucknow Super Giants in the auction.
Which key players have DC signed for IPL 2025?
DC have made major additions, including KL Rahul, Mitchell Starc, T Natarajan, and Faf du Plessis, strengthening both their batting and bowling units.
Why did Harry Brook withdraw from IPL 2025, and what are the consequences?
Brook pulled out for the second consecutive season, which could result in a two-year IPL ban, making him ineligible until 2027.
How did Jake Fraser-McGurk perform after IPL 2024?
Fraser-McGurk was explosive in IPL 2024 but has struggled since, averaging just 15.91 with a strike rate of 136.91 in 24 T20 matches.
What challenges do DC face with their IPL 2025 schedule?
DC will start their campaign in Vizag with a favorable schedule early on, featuring long gaps between games, but will need to adapt quickly once the fixture congestion begins in mid-April.
