50% Dip In Salary, No Runs At The Top; 3 DC Stars Who Need To Silence Critics In IPL 2025

DC - (Source:@HallaBolDC/X.com)

IPL 2025 start is less than a week away. RCB and KKR will kickstart the tournament by squaring off in the curtain raiser tie on March 22 at the Eden Gardens. Shedding light on Delhi Capitals, the Axar Patel-led side will start their campaign on March 24 by taking on Lucknow Super Giants.

Like other teams, DC too have a point to prove as they eye their first IPL title. Meanwhile, this article will shed light on three players who have a point to prove in the upcoming season. 

1. Jake Fraser McGurk

McGurk took the world by storm when he played for DC in IPL 2024 as a replacement. The right-hand batter wreaked havoc for the opponents and amassed 330 runs in nine matches, averaging 36. He was touted to be the next big thing in world cricket, and his performance helped him earn an international call-up.

However, McGurk has failed to replicate his IPL heroics for Australia and was dropped from the side. Further, JFM also registered a poor Big Bash League 2024 season. Thus, the opener has a point to prove in IPL 2025 and score runs to earn selectors and fans' trust back. 

JFM Performance In IPL 2024

JFM performance After IPL 2024

2. Axar Patel

Another star DC player who has a point to prove in IPL is Axar Patel. The left-arm all-rounder, who is all set to play his first season as full-time skipper, has a responsibility to guide DC to their first IPL title. The Capitals have not won a solitary trophy since 2008 and have had several captains over the years.

However, Axar has a point to prove that he can end the trophy drought for DC and become the first captain in the club's history to win them a title. Further, if he manages to guide DC to a title, then he will also contest for a leadership role in the Indian team in future. 

Also, Axar has been appointed a captain ahead of the likes of KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis in the team, two stars who have far more experience than Axar as a captain. Thus, he needs to prove his critics wrong. 

3.Mitchell Starc

It is worth noting that Starc saw a significant drop in his salary for IPL 2025 despite winning a title for KKR in 2024. Starc, who was highest-paid player in IPL's history till last season, was released by KKR because of his underwhelming performance in title-winning season and his habit of not putting IPL on top-priority. 

Starc has played just three seasons in his IPL career and returned to the league after nine years in 2024. He took just 17 wickets in 14 matches and only looked lethal during knock-out stage. Talking about group stage games then Starc took 12 wickets in 11 matches.

There were cries of dropping Starc as he was getting hit even by the tail-enders. However, Starc needs to prove his critics wrong and shine for DC from first game. For a player of his calibre, he would aim to see himself in the top three of purple cap race in IPL 2025.

Starc's Performances In IPL

---

ALSO READ

Ex-RCB Captain And...? 3 Players Who Can Open With KL Rahul For Delhi Capitals In IPL 2025

---