Delhi Capitals - IPL 2023 Squad Analysis


image-lfskocb7David Warner will lead Delhi Capitals in IPL 2023 (delhicapitals.in)

Delhi Capitals (DC), a team, which has been outran by one or the other in every Indian Premier League (IPL) edition had enjoyed no rendezvous with the trophy so far.

The Capitals' best IPL season was in 2020 when they faced Mumbai Indians in the final. That's the closest they have come in the hunt for the glorious title.

As another season of the cash-rich league is upon us, it's time to analyse if Delhi Capitals would finally get to taste the cake or just observe a franchise taking the big bite once again.


Let's get down to brass tacks:


Delhi Capitals IPL 2023 Squad 

David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Sarfaraz Khan, Yash Dhull, Phil Salt, Rilee Rossouw, Manish Paney, Ripal Patel, Mitchell Marsh, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, Aman Khan, Praveen Dubey, Rovman Powell,  Anrich Nortje, Chetan Sakariya, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Khaleel Ahmed, Lungi Ngidi, Mustafizur Rahman, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Vicky Ostwal. 


Strengths 

  • Explosive top-order: To have the likes of David Warner, Prithvi Shaw and Mitchell Marsh as their top three, DC hold the cream of the crop. While Shaw and Marsh can fire hits all around the park, Warner has multiple gears and can even play around the aggressors, if needed be.
  • Sock-knocking pacers: Delhi's pace battery puts them in a good shade. They have quality overseas options in Anrich Nortje and Mustafizur Rahman. The Indian products such as Kuldeep Yadav, Chetan Sakariya, Khaleel Ahmed, etc. can also make the side ride tall in the saddle.


Weaknesses

  • No ideal substitute for Rishabh Pant: Although DC may have found a more experienced campaigner in Warner to lead the team in the upcoming season, the wicket-keeping gloves are still empty. In the current squad, only Sarfaraz Khan comes across as a decent choice to take over that role. Phil Salt is another prospect, however, that will book a foreign spot and he is no certainty in the playing XI.
  • What after the top 3?: Although Delhi's top-order boasts dominance, things crash downhill after that. Sarfaraz is a sure-short starter but is he suited to play at that position in T20 cricket? They acquired the services of Manish Pandey, however, he has faded away with respect to poor performance in the last few IPL seasons. DC can settle down a bit as Axar Patel has found his mojo as a batter recently.


Opportunities 

  • Warner's captaincy: In addition to Aussie's batting prowess, he being the skipper of DC, will give the side someone who knows how to win the championship as a leader. Warner has great captaincy credentials and it also gets the best out of him as a batter.
  • Axar Patel's emergence as a batter: While Axar has always had an all-rounder's tag attached with him, his recent evolution as a batter makes him all the more dangerous. As his exploits in the national jersey, albeit in a different format, came to light, it will also tempt Delhi to try him a bit high in their batting order.


Threats

  • Home Conditions: Though DC's top top-order will most likely serve them in a good stead, there is also a grey area. If the pitch at Delhi assists spinners, it will not suit their big three, ergo their campaign might go down the wrong way.


DC Rating Card

Top-order - 8.5/10 
Upper middle-order - 6.5/10
Lower middle-order - 7/10
Pace bowling - 8/10
Spin bowling - 7.5/10


Overall Rating - 7.5


Prediction 

Delhi Capitals will be affected from the absence of Pant. Their middle-order's vulnerability appears to be a shortcoming. Still, DC are capable of reaching the playoffs.