After having an impressive outing in the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL), Delhi Capitals (DC) retained most of their core players namely Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant and Kagiso Rabada. The team had to, however, let go of some under-performing players including Colin Munro, Colin Ingram and Chris Morris.
In return, during the mini-auction, Delhi purchased Alex Carey and Jason Roy to strengthen their batting, while Chris Woakes, Mohit Sharma, Lalit Yadav, Tushar Deshpande were an addition to the bowling unit. They even had two expensive buys in the form of Shimron Hetmyer and Marcus Stoinis.
Not just that, they even got Ajinkya Rahane and Ravichandran Ashwin to fill the gaps in their lineup.
Strengths of Delhi Capitals
Top 5: Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw, and Ajinkya Rahane - Delhi Capitals may be the only team that can field a solid Indian top 5.
Backups: To add to their strong top 5, Delhi Capitals have proper backups in all areas. In the opening department, they have Jason Roy, and in middle-order, they have Alex Carey and Shimron Hetmyer.
When it comes to all-rounder’s, they have Axar Patel, Marcus Stoinis, and Chris Woakes. As for the pace department, it may be questionable, with the likes of Mohit Sharma, Avesh Khan, and, Harshal Patel.
Spinners: With the addition of Ravichandran Ashwin, Delhi Capitals are one of the few teams to boast a solid spin department. The likes of R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Amit Mishra, and Sandeep Lamichhane make a fantastic spin quartet.
Weakness
No strong Indian Pacer: Like how Mumbai Indians have Jasprit Bumrah, Chennai Super Kings have Deepak Chahar, Sunrisers Hyderabad have plenty and Kings XI Punjab have Mohammed Shami, Delhi Capitals’ best Indian pacer is Ishant Sharma.
While Ishant Sharma's experience is not questionable, it is his capabilities in T20s are limited for pitches that offer swing and lateral movement. DC then rely on Mohit Sharma as their prime, and Avesh Khan - who is young and inexperienced. Harshal Patel is a good option, but he is a medium pacer who is suited for slow and low pitches of Delhi.
Delhi Capitals full squad
Ajinkya Rahane, Alex Carey (WK), Jason Roy, Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh Pant (WK), Shikhar Dhawan, Shimron Hetmyer, and Shreyas Iyer (C), Axar Patel, Chris Woakes, Lalit Yadav, Marcus Stoinis, and Keemo Paul, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan, Harshal Patel, Ishant Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, Mohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sandeep Lamichhane, and Tushar Deshpande.
Delhi Capitals probable playing XI
Shreyas Iyer (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Shimron Hetmyer, Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw, Alex Carrey, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Ishant Sharma, Sandeep Lamichhane
