Runners-up in the 2020 IPL, Delhi Capitals are set to field one of the most intriguing line-ups in the upcoming season. With just four retained players, the franchise spent ₹72.80 crore to acquire 19 new players, assembling what appears to be a well-balanced and formidable squad.
Before the mega auction, DC released their captain, Rishabh Pant, retaining only Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Tristan Stubbs, and Abhishek Porel. This left them with the crucial task of finding a new leader capable of guiding them to their first IPL title.
They came close to re-signing Shreyas Iyer but ultimately missed out. However, they secured the services of KL Rahul, an experienced campaigner who has captained multiple IPL franchises. Rahul notably led Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to two playoff appearances in three seasons. But they finally settled on Axar Patel, who has had experience captaining his domestic side.
With a mix of fresh signings and experienced campaigners, here’s a look at DC’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats ahead of IPL 2025.
DC Squad IPL 2025
Jake Fraser-McGurk, Harry Brook (withdrawn/ replacement to be announced), Faf du Plessis, Tristan Stubbs, Abhishek Porel, KL Rahul, Donovan Ferreira, Axar Patel, Sameer Rizvi, Ashutosh Sharma, Darshan Nalkande, Vipraj Nigam, Ajay Mandal, Manvanth Kumar, Tripurana Vijay, Madhav Tiwari, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Mitchell Starc, DushmanthaChameera, T Natarajan, Mohit Sharma.
Strengths
Delhi Capitals’ biggest asset this season is their reinforced bowling unit. The franchise made several key acquisitions, including last season’s title-winning pacer Mitchell Starc, alongside T Natarajan, Dushmantha Chameera, Mohit Sharma, and Mukesh Kumar.
Starc, a crucial figure in Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) triumph last year, claimed 14 wickets, including match-winning performances in the playoffs. Having taken a break from international cricket, the Australian speedster will be fresh and raring to go.
Natarajan, one of the most consistent death-over specialists in the IPL, was instrumental in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) journey to the final last season, bagging 19 wickets. The presence of Mukesh and Mohit further adds depth, giving DC strong pace options to rotate throughout the tournament.
A new era begins today 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/9Yc4bBMSvt
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 14, 2025
While their pace attack is stacked, DC’s spin department is also well-covered. In Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, they have two experienced Indian internationals who will be vital in the middle overs and thrive on turning tracks.
DC have ensured that their batting unit is as potent as their bowling. The addition of Jake Fraser-McGurk, Faf du Plessis, and KL Rahul provides them with an explosive top order.
Fraser-McGurk and du Plessis could form a dynamic opening pair, with the former striking at a phenomenal rate of 234 and the latter at 161 in the previous season.
Porel is another promising option at the top. The Bengal batter was outstanding in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024, amassing 335 runs at an average of 42 and a strike–rate of 158. He also scored 327 runs for DC in IPL 2024.
Middle-order stability comes with Rahul, Stubbs, and Karun Nair in the team. Stubbs was outstanding last season, averaging 54, while Nair impressed in SMAT 2024, scoring 255 runs in six matches at a strike–rate of 177.08.
With a mix of experienced and young players, DC’s batting line-up is well-equipped to dominate opposition bowlers.
Weaknesses
Despite a formidable pace attack, DC’s spin department lacks reliable back-ups for Kuldeep and Axar. The franchise will have to rely on 20-year-old Vipraj Nigam and debutant all-rounder Ajay Mandal, which could be a risk, especially against teams strong in playing spin.
One of the biggest concerns for DC is their ability to control the game in the middle overs. While they have potent powerplay and death-over bowlers, they lack a specialist who can contain opposition batters during the middle phase.
The small boundaries at Arun Jaitley Stadium could exacerbate this problem, allowing opponents to accelerate in this crucial phase of the game.
Opportunities
With the squad they have assembled, DC have a golden opportunity to clinch their first IPL trophy. The team looks well-rounded and possesses the depth required to go all the way.
Porel’s ability to take on pace bowlers early in the innings presents a major opportunity for DC. If he is given a consistent role at the top, he could provide the team with explosive starts, setting the tone for big totals.
Threats
Harry Brook’s withdrawal from yet another IPL season has resulted in a two-year ban from the tournament. While this may ease DC’s selection headaches, they will miss an established international batter with a T20 career tally of 3,358 runs at an average of 33.58 and a strike–rate above 150. His absence reduces their middle-order firepower.
Injury to either of the two frontline spinner means DC will be fielding an inexperienced player, which could become a cause of concern.
Final Thoughts
Delhi Capitals have built a balanced squad with strong bowling options and a dynamic batting unit. If they can fine-tune their strategies and address their selection challenges, they will be serious contenders for the IPL 2025 title.
And with a star-studded line-up alongside new captain Axar, this could finally be the year DC lift their maiden IPL trophy.