Predicted playing XI for Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2020

Delhi Capitals is one of the three IPL teams which are yet to win the trophy even once in the IPL history of the last 12 years.  The Delhi-based franchise has qualified for the playoffs on four occasions and has failed to get their hands on the trophy in each of the IPL seasons.

The Shreyas Iyer-led side made the most progress after finishing third in the points table in IPL 2019 from ending the 2018 season at the bottom. The revamped Delhi Capitals team in IPL 2019 invested a lot on youngsters and played with a lot more fearless attitude on the field. Even in IPL 2020, with a retained core group of players, along with some new and experienced players added to the Delhi squad, the Capitals would fancy their chances to claim their maiden IPL trophy in 2020.

Delhi Capitals IPL squad 2020/ DC Team Players List 2020

Ajinkya Rahane, Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rishabh Pant (Wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Lalit Yadav, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan, Harshal Patel, Ishant Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Tushar Deshpande,  Shimron Hetmyer, Daniel Sams, Keemo Paul, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Sandeep Lamichhane.

With just less than a week to go for the start of the IPL, we take a look at the best possible predicted playing XI for Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of their maiden fixture in 2020:

1. Openers: Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane

One of the main reasons why Delhi performed well in IPL 2019 was due to the contribution by the opening duo of Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan. The Indian duo provided DC with flourishing starts and the middle-order was able to capitalize on the early momentum built in the first six overs.  In all likelihood, both Shaw and Dhawan will open for Delhi in their opening IPL 2020 fixture against KXIP.

Dhawan is the fifth all-time highest run-getter in IPL and Capitals will be banking upon him to fire yet again in 2020. Prithvi, who loves to play his shots from the onset, has been impressive in the past couple of seasons for Delhi. The new inclusion in the form of Ajinkya Rahane will surely be the back-up opener for Delhi. Rahane might also get an opportunity to feature in the DC playing XI in middle-order towards the later stages of the IPL 2020.

ALSO READ 5 most successful Captains in IPL history

2. Middle Order- Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Rishabh Pant (WK), Shimron Hetmeyer, Alex Carey

DC will feature the Indian likes of Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant as the backbone in their middle-order. Both Iyer and Pant have created a huge impact ever since joining the Delhi franchise and form the pillars of this largely young batting line up. Even in IPL 2019, both of them were among the top three run-getters for DC.

To further strengthen their middle-order, Delhi also acquired the services of hard-hitting Shimron Hetmeyer who is a phenomenal limited-overs player. All the three players have the ability to change the course of the game in a short span of time. Capitals will hope for their great outing if they are to go the distance in the tournament in 2020. Alex Carey is another overseas player in the middle-order who is likely to feature as a back-up keeper-batsman in the team.

3. All Rounders- Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Daniel Sams, Keemo Paul

Marcus Stoinis & Daniel Sams had a great BBL outing in 2019 and are being viewed as two healthy additions to the DC squad. Capitals already have Keemo Paul, who proved his worth as an all-rounder in the lower-order in IPL 2019. It will be interesting to see how Delhi use the experience of Stoinis and the ability of Keemo Paul to feature in DC playing XI in 2020.

The Indian spinning all-rounder R Ashwin is likely to start for DC in the playing XI. Ashwin has the best bowling average in the powerplay and hence might prove effective for Delhi in the upcoming season. Ravichandran Ashwin, like Rahane, was traded before the auction and his leadership skill will be valuable.

ALSO READ Relive the MI-CSK IPL rivalry

4. Bowlers- Amit Mishra, Kagiso Rabada, Ishant Sharma, Anrich Nortje, Sandeep Lamichhane

DC has a potent all-round attack covering all the bases. The experienced likes of Kagiso Rabada and Ishant Sharma might feature in the playing xi for their opening match against KXIP on September 20. Their major weakness last season was the lack of death bowler to partner alongside Rabada. It seems Delhi's move to rope in Anrich Nortje would fill the void. Amit Mishra has been a consistent performer in the IPL and is the second-highest wicket-taker in IPL history. The leg spinner from Nepal, Sandeep Lamichhane will also feature at some point in the tournament.

Here’s a look at Delhi Capitals (DC) best possible predicted playing XI for IPL 2020:

Shikar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Shimron Hetmeyer, Marcus Stoinis, Keemo Paul Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma