By Debasis Sen
Overview
Delhi Capitals continue to hunt for a maiden IPL title. The franchise has suffered a huge setback as Rishabh Pant will miss the IPL 2023 season because of the horrific road accident he suffered last December. David Warner has been entrusted with the responsibility of leading the side this season. Batting seems to be Delhi Capitals’ strength, with the likes of Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Prithvi Shaw, Rovman Powell and Sarfaraz Khan in the ranks. But when it comes to all-rounders and Indian fast bowlers, there is definitely a lack of experience. Ishant Sharma, who was picked from the auction, is past his prime.
The advantage for Delhi Capitals is that the management has not tinkered too much with the core of the side. The franchise picked only five players from the IPL 2023 auction – Rilee Rossouw, Manish Pandey, Phil Salt, Ishant and Mukesh Kumar.
Sourav Ganguly, former India captain, has rejoined the DC squad as Director of Cricket. He will be joined by Ricky Ponting as Head Coach. Shane Watson, the former Australian all-rounder who was the star of the IPL’s first season, has been added to the DC family. So, there is a wealth of experience in the dugout. If the franchise can sort out the bowling combinations, they will fancy their chances of making it to the playoffs.
Strengths and weaknesses
Marsh’s form during the recently concluded ODI series against India is a big positive. The all-rounder from Western Australia could be the perfect enforcer for DC in the power play, and is someone who can clear the boundaries with ease against both spinners and pacers. Warner’s presence as a captain will also be a positive, given that he has had the experience of winning an IPL title in 2016. The presence of Anrich Nortje will add to the bowling firepower, though Delhi will be heavily reliant of their experienced spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel.
As far as the weakness is concerned, Pant’s absence is an obvious one. The franchise is yet to name a second wicketkeeper-batter. It is very unlikely Sarfaraz Khan will get an opportunity to play all the matches. The Capitals did pick Salt, the English wicketkeeper-batter, at the auction. But playing an overseas keeper would mean that DC cannot use a specialist foreign bowler in their playing XI.
There is not enough experience when it comes to Indian pace bowlers. With Shardul Thakur traded to KKR, the franchise must rely heavily on overseas pacers like Nortje, Lungi Ngidi and Mustafizur Rahman. Khaleel Ahmed, the left-arm pacer, is coming back after a surgery, while Mukesh Kumar and Kamlesh Nagarkoti are both relatively inexperienced.
Strategy Watch
Batting being the strength, DC’s batters will look to utilise the smaller boundaries at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. David Warner, Mitch Marsh and Anrich Nortje will be automatic choices in the playing XI as far as the overseas slots are concerned. For the fourth foreign option, you could see Powell, Ngidi and Mustafizur rotated.
Despite the small boundaries at their home venue, Delhi must trust in Axar and Kuldeep given their ability to take wickets. Axar has shown his prowess with the bat as well in recent times.
Many eyes will also be on Shaw as he has a lot to prove. With Shubman Gill making use of his opportunities in the Indian team, a consistent IPL season for the Mumbai batter could see him back on the selectors’ radar.
Impact Player Watch
It seems Delhi Capitals might consider Aman Hakim Khan, the Mumbai all-rounder, for that role. Apart from being a hard-hitting batter, he can chip in with some overs as well. Given his height, he could extract bounce from even placid pitches, and both Ponting and Ganguly were impressed after watching Aman at the practice sessions.
Last Year
Delhi Capitals finished fifth in the table last season with 14 points, and a 7-7 win-loss record.
Best Finish
They were runners-up to Mumbai in 2020.
Possible Playing XI
Prithvi Shaw, David Warner (C), Mitchell Marsh, Manish Pandey, Rovman Powell, Sarfaraz Khan (WK), Aman Khan, Axar Patel, Anrich Nortje, Chetan Sakariya/Khaleel Ahmed and Kuldeep Yadav.