In the last 11 seasons, the Delhi franchise was a stellar underachiever of the Indian Premier League. There was no daredevilry in the performance as their previous name (Daredevils) suggested. This season, after a shuffle in ownership and a new name ‘Delhi Capitals’, the franchise will be hoping to turn the corner and develop a fresh identity.
Delhi are among the three to never lay their hands on the trophy. Daredevils’ most notable performances were semifinal appearances in 2008 and 2009, and a qualification to the playoffs in 2012.
They have tried every trick in the book but have struggled to strike a balance. This year Delhi have a good team on paper with the addition of Shikhar Dhawan. They have a blend of youth and experience and some handy all-rounders to give it a balanced look.
Strength
Capitals’ boast a strong batting, particularly the top order with the likes of Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer, and Rishabh Pant. Colin Ingram, Chris Morris and Axar Patel holding the middle-order, Capitals seem to have hit the nail in batting options. In case some of the World Cup hopefuls leave early, they have good backups in big-hitting Guyanese Sherfane Rutherford and allrounder Keemo Paul.
Weakness
Pacer Ishant Sharma was signed in place of Mohammad Shami but he still has to prove himself in T20. And the likes of Avesh Khan, Nathu Singh and Bandaru Ayyapa lack experience. Besides, they have only two genuine spinners in Amit Mishra and Sandeep Lamichhane.
Squad
Shreyas Iyer (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw, Colin Munro, Kagiso Rabada, Chris Morris, Bandaru Ayyappa, Sandeep Lamichhane, Ishant Sharma, Colin Ingram, Trent Boult, Manjot Kalra, Nathu Singh, Sherfane Rutherford, Rahul Tewatia, Ankush Bains, Avesh Khan, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Amit Mishra, Hanuma Vihari, Keemo Paul, Jalaj Saxena.
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