Who Makes It to Our All-Time IPL XI? - DC

image-lf02wsv4Delhi made it for playoffs for third successive time in 2021 (Twitter/RishabhPant17)

The Delhi-based franchise has never been a team to beat in the race of the Indian Premier League, but the rebranding from Delhi Daredevils to Delhi Capitals has changed their fortunes for them upside down. 

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Delhi have been a part of the league since its inception; however, luck has never befriended them in any of the seasons. After 15 seasons of the IPL, DC are still to win their maiden silverware. However, despite all these painful campaigns, the team has been able to supply a bunch of talent. 

Thus, before the upcoming edition of the IPL begins, let us analyse and find out the all-time eleven of Delhi. 



Opening Headache

image-lf01r4shDhawan parted ways with Delhi in 2022 (iplt20.com)

It has been a decade and a half since IPL's maiden season kickstarted, meaning a couple of generations have come and gone. 'N' numbers of openers have performed immensely for them; however, no one has even come close to what the likes of Virender Sehwag and Shikhar Dhawan have done for the DC.

They might not have been together in their prime years for the team; however, they have been Delhi's biggest hits as openers. Both statistically and legacy-wise, there are no other opening batters better than Sehwag and Dhawan to have donned DC's colours.

Opening Batters: Virender Sehwag (2382 runs at 29.77/158.37) and Shikhar Dhawan (2066 runs at 38.98/131)


No Muddle in Middle

image-lf02vj9xDelhi signed Pant in 2016 (iplt20.com)

T20 legends like AB de Villiers, Andre Russell, and Glenn Maxwell have played for DC in their formative years but could never transform themselves into a legend for the franchise. However, there have been particular names who have made their names while playing for DC.

 Delhi literally raised a young Shreyas Iyer and an even younger Rishabh Pant. Thanks to this dual brilliance, the team have started showing teeth to the other already established franchise in the lucrative league. Interestingly, these two are also the first and third highest run-getter for DC, with Sehwag being in the second spot.

Middle Order Batters: Shreyas Iyer (2375 runs at 31.66/123.95) and Rishabh Pant (2838 runs at 34.60/147.96)

Apart from Iyer and Pant, the other names on the list weren't associated with the franchise much, but they became true match-winners for them during their course of time with DC. 

Dinesh Karthik, Kevin Pietersen and JP Duminy - They might not be the names that would be making to the top of your list for DC, but their performances for the team were top-flight.

Lower Middle Order: Kevin Pietersen (672 runs at 37.33/131.50), Dinesh Karthik (1128 runs at 25.06/126.03) and JP Duminy (1015 runs at 44.13/130.79; 13 wickets at 7.38 EC)

Spin Webbers

image-lf0zac4tAmit Mishra has scalped 110 of his 166 wickets for Delhi (iplt20.com)

You cannot look past Amit Mishra when talking about a DC spinner. The leg-spinner has been associated with the franchise since the first edition of the IPL, and he has turned zillion matches in DC's ways throughout his since. He is also the third-highest wicket-taker in the league's history, meaning he is not just a GOAT for DC but an IPL legend of all sorts.

Coupled with Mishra on our list is Axar Patel, who has been double the miser and lethal when bowled with the leggie in the IPL. Apart from his economical left-arm off-break, Axar will also bring in balance his more-than-handy ability to hit the long ball.

Spinners: Amit Mishra (110 wickets at 7.37 EC) and Axar Patel (40 wickets at 6.90 EC; 449 runs at 19.52/132.44)

Extra Battery of Pace

image-lf0zndnbUmesh Yadav played for Delhi in 2010-2013 (iplt20.com)

The present and past of Indian cricket have led Delhi's bowling attack; however, few faster bowlers have left their mark in the league. Statistically, no pacer has been more successful than Kagiso Rabada for DC, but unfortunately, he couldn't make the cut on this list.

In place of KG, we have picked Morne Morkel for one sole reason, i.e. the Morkel effect. Meanwhile, his numbers for Delhi were astonishing. Umesh Yadav will share the new ball with the South African solely for his ability to crack any batting lineup. The third seaming option is Chris Morris for his all-rounding demolishing prowess that he has shown for the team.

Pacers: Umesh Yadav (47 wickets at 7.93 EC), Morne Morkel (51 wickets at 7.52 EC) and Chris Morris (41 wickets at 8.17 EC; 427 runs at 28.46/160.52)