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DC in IPL 2024: Team preview
Delhi Capitals have been among the underachievers of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. Over the years, they have had players of the calibre of AB de Villiers, David Warner, Virender Sehwag, Glenn McGrath, Morne Morkel, Yuvraj Singh, Glenn Maxwell and others. However, the team is yet to get its hand on the coveted IPL trophy.
Back in 2020, the Capitals advanced to the final, but lost to the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Last year was equivalent to a disaster for them. The team, led by David Warner, failed to go through to the playoffs. They finished ninth on the table with 10 points and a net run rate of -0.808.
The Capitals felt the absence of their skipper Rishabh Pant, who missed out last season after he suffered multiple injuries in an accident back in December 2022. The southpaw is set to make his comeback in the upcoming edition of the T20 league and his inclusion is only going to strengthen DC’s lineup.
Although he will play for the Capitals in 2024, he will take the field as a specialist batter, especially in the first half of the cash-rich T20 league. Head coach Ricky Ponting sounded excited about Pant’s return. It is pertinent to note that Pant has not played any form of cricket since India’s tour of Bangladesh in 2022.
Determined to get back to winning ways 🙌#YehHaiNayiDilli #DCvRCB #TATAWPL pic.twitter.com/PS14tqhL6V
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 10, 2024
In the auction that took place last year, the Capitals bought Harry Brook, Tristan Stubbs, Ricky Bhui, Kumar Kushagra, Rasikh Dar, Jhye Richardson, Sumit Kumar, Shai Hope and Swastik Chikkara.
After their disappointing campaign last year, the Capitals let go off Chetan Sakariya, Rilee Rossouw, Manish Pandey, Rovman Powell, Mustafizur Rahman, Phil Salt, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Sarfaraz Khan, Aman Khan and Priyam Garg.
Full DC squad for IPL 2024
The Capitals invested heavily on Kumar Kushagra, shelling out INR 7.20 crore for him. They also spent INR 4 crore and 5 crore for Harry Brook and Jhye Richardson respectively. Brook was a part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) last season when he scored a hundred against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Tristan Stubbs and Shai Hope also add a lot of value to their batting.
DC squad
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.
Strengths
- Strong top order
The Capitals have a strong top order for the next season. David Warner and Prithvi Shaw are most likely to open the batting. Mitchell Marsh is likely to bat at No.3 for the Capitals.
- Powerful middle-order
The likes of Pant, Harry Brook, Lalit Yadav and Axar Patel form a strong middle-order. If Pant and Brook gets going, opponents would find it tough to restrict them.
- Quality pacers
The Capitals have some world class fast bowlers in their ranks. Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi are good enough to get the better of any batting lineup in the world. Khaleel Ahmed and Ishant Sharma are
Weaknesses
- Lack of finishers
The Capitals lack some genuine finishers who can step up in crunch moments. Lalit Yadav and Axar Patel are handy batters, but are not genuine power-hitters, who can score at around 12 to 15 runs per over.
- Rishabh Pant’s long absence
It has been more than 14 months since Rishabh Pant played any form of cricket. Hence, the shape and form he is in currently is not known yet. DC would be hoping that Pant gets into his groove at the earliest.
- Prithvi Shaw’s poor run of form
Prithvi Shaw has struggled with his form in recent times, which is something concerning for the Capitals. Last year, Shaw struggled with the bat for DC.
DC Predicted XI
1. David Warner
2. Prithvi Shaw
3. Mitchell Marsh
4. Rishabh Pant
5. Harry Brook
6. Lalit Yadav
7. Axar Patel
8. Mukesh Kumar
9. Kuldeep Yadav
10. Anrich Nortje
11. Khaleel Ahmed
Impact player options for DC
Tristan Stubbs can turn out to be an effective Impact Player for the Capitals in the upcoming IPL edition. Earlier, the South African batter plied his trade with the Mumbai Indians. Although he did not get a lot of chances for them, he did get to rub shoulders with some of the best in the business.
The Capitals can think of using him as an Impact Player as Stubbs is someone who can tee off from the outset. The likes of Abhishek Porel and Rasikh Dar can also be handy as Impact Players if needed.
Rohit Sharma sends a reminder about Rishabh Pant 😄
— ICC (@ICC) March 6, 2024
More 👉 https://t.co/Di65THh4sG#WTC25 #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/Eyqd2gmXOK
Season prediction
Going into the next season, the Capitals have been bolstered by the return of Pant. While questions cannot be raised on his credentials as an effective batter in limited-overs cricket, there are doubts over the form he is in. Moreover, with Pant not donning the keeping gloves in the first few games, the Capitals also need to find someone for the wicketkeeping role.
The Capitals looked unsettled last season despite some big names in their player. But compared to other teams in the tournament, DC are a tad short in firepower. Pant will have a huge task on his hands to help the Capitals make amends after a horrendous season last year.
In 2024, DC may again fall short of the playoffs. Warner scored runs last season, but looked far from his very best. Known for his fearless strokeplay, the southpaw could hardly take the Capitals off to flying starts.
Mitchell Marsh remains one of their gun all-rounders, but needs support, both in batting and bowling. It also remains to be seen how Brook performs after how he struggled in most part of the last season.
As of now, the Capitals may find it tough to go through to the playoffs amid some cut-throat competition among all the 10 teams.
