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No Fraser-McGurk; Mustafizur To Replace Starc? DC's Strongest XI For Remainder Of IPL 2025

Debashis Sarangi

Fraser-McGurk out; Starc might not return for IPL [Source: @Ashsay_, @kaustats/X]Fraser-McGurk out; Starc might not return for IPL [Source: @Ashsay_, @kaustats/X]

This afternoon, Delhi Capitals made a significant change to their IPL 2025 squad, replacing Jake Fraser-McGurk with Mustafizur Rahman for the remainder part of the tournament. The competition, which resumes on May 17, will witness DC's 12th group-stage game against GT at Arun Jaitley Stadium. 

As they eye a spot in the IPL 2025 playoffs, let's analyse and find out their strongest playing XI for the remaining games. 

DC's Playing XI In Last IPL Match vs PBKS

Faf du Plessis, Abhishek Porel, KL Rahul, Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel (C), Tristan Stubbs, Madhav Tiwari, Dushmantha Chameera, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan
Impact: Ashutosh Sharma

DC's Expected Changes

Faf du Plessis Out, Sediqullah Atal In?

Legendary South African batter Faf du Plessis has struggled with his form and fitness in the IPL 2025. Du Plessis has managed only 168 runs at a poor strike rate of 128.24 while remaining unavailable for five matches due to fitness concerns. 

Thus, considering his recent struggles, the Capitals might bring in Sediqullah Atal, whom they strategically signed as a replacement for Harry Brook. Atal is a flamboyant stroke-player and could form a solid top-order with KL Rahul and Abhishek Porel. 

In 48 T20 innings, the southpaw has struck 1507 runs at an average of 34.25 and a strike rate of 131.27. 

No Sameer Rizvi; A Promotion For Stubbs, Vipraj Nigam Back?

Tristan Stubbs is DC's one of the most technically-equipped batters and he has all the ingredients to succeed at number four. Statistically, Stubbs averages 84 while striking at a blistering rate of 204.9 at number four in the shortest format. 

He is a solid timer of the cricket ball and can decimate the bowling attacks in favourable conditions. So, instead of trying and testing Sameer Rizvi, DC can actually promote Stubbs to four and make room for stroke-players like Ashutosh Sharma and Vipraj Nigam in the lower middle order. 

Starc Unavailable, Mustafizur Included?

Legendary Australian speedster Mitchell Starc might be unavailable for the remainder of the season. Several reports have claimed that the left-arm seamer won't likely return to India, and there's a reason why DC have roped in Mustafizur Rahman as a replacement for Fraser-McGurk. 

So, if Starc doesn't come, Mustafizur will likely replace him in the playing XI. With Dushmantha Chameera and T Natarajan opening the bowling, Rahman can be a perfect fiddle to them as the third seamer. 

The rest of the DC lineup will likely be unchanged, with KL Rahul, Abhishek Porel, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav playing significant roles. 

DC's Strongest Playing XI For Remainder Of IPL 2025

Sediqullah Atal, Abhishek Porel, KL Rahul, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel (C), Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Dushmantha Chameera, Mustafizur Rahman, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan
Impact: Madhav Tiwari/Mukesh Kumar