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Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025 - (Source: AFP)
After RCB's win over Punjab Kings in IPL 2025, now only two teams remain since the inception of the league to not have their hands on the prestigious trophy. PBKS being one and Delhi Capitals the other.
The Capitals, who enjoy a decent fan following, made several changes to the 2025 season, such as roping in a new captain - Axar Patel. The Men in Red started the campaign on a high note, but lost their way mid-season, eventually finishing fifth with just 15 points.
DC missed out on another qualification chance, and looking at their 18-year history, the Capitals have only qualified for the next round on just six occasions.
Meanwhile, Delhi will look to further strengthen its squad for IPL 2026, and for that, this article will shed light on key decisions, which will help the Axar Patel-led side end their group-stage curse.
1. Target Zimbabwean talent to sort opening woes
Delhi Capitals have a massive issue at their top. DC made six changes to their opening pair, the most by any team in IPL 2025. Further, the decision to exercise the Right-to-match for Jake Fraser McGurk, too, didn't work out as the Australian batter failed to justify his 9 crore price tag.
If we look at the stats, then McGurk scored just 55 runs in six innings, averaging just 9. Further, Faf du Plessis had an off-season and failed to replicate his RCB heroics for Delhi.
Thus, DC are in dire need of an opener who can fix their issues, but also not spend a lot of money on one player, as they have a limited purse value going into the auction.
The answer to DC's problem can be Zimbabwe's Brian Bennett. The 21-year-old is on a roll for his country and is making waves all across the world. If we look at Benett, then he is the leading run-getter in T20Is in 2025 among full-member nations.
Benett has scored 708 runs in 18 innings, averaging 39.33. Benett has been consistent and also batted with a strike-rate of 152.91, which is a massive feat for any opener. The right-handed batter scored a century and six-fifties, which helped Zimbabwe also qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup. He was also nominated for player of the month award, but lost the title to Abhishek Sharma.
Brian Benett's stats in 2025
| Series | Innings | Runs | Average |
| T20 WC Africa Qualifiers | 5 | 314 | 62.80 |
| Namibia vs Zimbabwe | 3 | 136 | 45.33 |
| Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe | 3 | 113 | 37.67 |
| Zim Tri Series 2025 | 4 | 113 | 28.25 |
2. A change in leadership needed
Axar Patel took the team under his wings in IPL 2025 and the results went in his favour early on, but when the team tumbled, Patel failed to lift the side back to glory. Thus, it seems that Delhi Capitals should look at more options for captaincy and actually convince KL Rahul to lead Capitals.
Before the start of IPL 2025, DC had the option between Axar and Rahul but the latter opted to just play as a batter. However, the Capitals need a leader like KL Rahul as he has done well in the past and also took LSG to playoffs twice in 2022 and 2023.
There are also reports that Delhi are working their way to rope in Sanju Samson and if the deal gets through, then DC should replace Samson as the new team captain as the right-handed batter took RR to finals in IPL 2022.
Lets look at captaincy feats of KL Rahul and Sanju Samson
| Criteria | KL Rahul | Sanju Samson |
| Innings | 64 | 67 |
| Win | 32 | 33 |
| Loss | 32 | 33 |
| No-Result | 0 | 1 |
3. Retain Mitchell Starc at any cost
In the latest events, there are reports that Delhi Capitals are looking to part ways with Mitchell Starc ahead of IPL 2026. If the rumours are to be true, then the Capitals should look to reverse their decision and convince Mitchell Starc to stay.
Starc did well for the Capitals in IPL 2025 and also single handedly won a match against Rajasthan Royals. However, the player refused to return for the postponed phase because of the operation Sindoor. The decision to not return seems to have not gone well with DC, but they should get over it and look at the larger pitcure.
Having Mitchell Starc in a team is a big plus for any side as the Australia star bowler also helped KKR end their trophy drought in IPL 2024. Thus, releasing Starc will be a massive blunder.
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