Delhi Capitals (DC) are one of the three franchises who have played every season of the Indian Premier League but have not been able to win any title. Their search for the maiden trophy continues as they gear up for the IPL 2024 and here's the DC best playing XI for the season.
Delhi Capitals have come close to winning the coveted IPL title once in 2020, when they reached the final for the first time in history. However, their dreams were crushed as they suffered a defeat against Mumbai Indians. The Capitals have reached the top four in the tournament only five times in 16 IPL editions.
Last season was pretty miserable for DC as they finished ninth on the table, with five victories and nine defeats. David Warner was appointed the captain for the season after Rishabh Pant was ruled out due to a road accident. Delhi struggled with form and couldn't get their playing combination right throughout the season.
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Today we take a look at the Delhi Capitals full squad and the DC best playing XI for IPL 2024.
Delhi Capitals (DC) Full squad for IPL 2024
Rishabh Pant (c), Pravin Dubey, David Warner, Vicky Ostwal, Prithvi Shaw, Anrich Nortje, Abishek Porel, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Lungi Ngidi, Lalit Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Mitchell Marsh, Ishant Sharma, Yash Dhull, Mukesh Kumar, Harry Brook, Tristan Stubbs, Ricky Bhui, Kumar Kushagra, Rasikh Dar, Jhye Richardson, Sumit Kumar, Shai Hope, Swastik Chhikara
DC best playing XI for IPL 2024
Delhi Capitals have made some changes to their squad for the IPL 2024. They released 11 players ahead of the mini-auction, including Phil Salt, Rovman Powell, Rilee Rossouw and Chetan Sakariya. In the auction, they bought Harry Brook, Tristan Stubbs, Kumar Kushagra, Jhye Richardson and Shai Hope. Below is what we believe would be the DC best playing XI in the IPL 2024.
1. David Warner
David Warner is one of the greatest players in the history of IPL. The left-hand batter amassed 516 runs in the IPL 2023 at an average of 37 with six half-centuries. His scoring rate of 132 was far from his usual self. Delhi Capitals will need Warner at his best in the next season.
2. Mitchell Marsh
Mitchell Marsh had an awful campaign in the previous edition of the IPL. He made 128 runs at an average of just 14 while striking at 132 with only one fifty. Marsh struggles to start his innings when the spinners are operating and that makes opening his most suited position in this side and will surely be in DC best playing XI for 2024.
3. Prithvi Shaw
Prithvi Shaw's stocks have fallen badly in the last few years due to poor form, fitness and disciplinary issues. Delhi Capitals have still shown faith in him. Shaw is likely to get some games in the next season and he would be hoping to turn things around. Perhaps not facing the new ball might help him. If Shaw doesn't have a good start to the season, DC can bring in Yash Dhull.
4. Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant has recovered from the accident and is set to play in the IPL 2024. Although he is only likely to play as a specialist batter, it is still a huge boost to Delhi Capitals. One of the best Indian batters, Pant makes the DC batting line-up much better with his presence. The ‘Impact player’ rule makes his job a lot better.
5. Kumar Kushagra (wk)
Kumar Kushagra was the biggest signing for the Capitals at the recent IPL auction, spending INR 7.20 crore. The DC management seems to rate him highly and play a key role in future. The 19-year-old doesn't have a great record in the T20 format in his short career but has shown promise in List A cricket.
6. Harry Brook
Harry Brook played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the previous season after fetching big money but couldn't make much impact barring one century. Delhi Capitals got him for INR 4 crore for the IPL 2024. Having now gained experience in Indian conditions, Brook should fare better in his second IPL season given all his talent.
7. Ricky Bhui
Delhi Capitals struggled with their Indian batting options throughout the 2023 season. Ricky Bhui is amongst the few new names they brought in for the next edition. The Andhra Pradesh batter had a very good Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season, scoring 234 runs at an average of 58 and strike rate of 184.
8. Axar Patel
The left-arm spin all-rounder is a key component in the DC side. He was their second-highest run-getter in the previous season, with 283 runs at an average of 28 while striking at 139. He was often the lone fighter for them at the back end of the innings. With the ball, Axar bagged 11 wickets at an economy of 7.19 and will make it to the DC best playing XI.
9. Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav forms a potent spin bowling attack with Axar, with both left-armers offering a different skill set. Kuldeep had a decent season in the IPL 2023, where he snared 10 wickets at an economy of 7.36.
10. Anrich Nortje
Anrich Nortje, one of the fastest bowlers in the world, has been dealing with some injuries and hasn't been at his best. Last season, he played 10 games and picked 10 wickets at an expensive rate of over 9. DC can not afford that from their lead pacer. If Nortje is unfit, DC have a couple of backups in Lungi Ngidi and Jhye Richardson.
11. Mukesh Kumar
The 30-year-old right arm pacer looked too green in the previous edition of the IPL but has developed in the last few months. Playing for India, Mukesh Kumar has shown some promise. He has played 11 T20Is, picking 10 wickets at an economy of 9.28.
Khaleel Ahmed (Impact Player)
Khaleel Ahmed is the only left-arm pace option DC have after releasing Chetan Sakariya and Mustafizur Rahman. Khaleel didn't have a good season last time around but he did well in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, picking eight wickets in five games at 7.95 rpo.
