Predicted XI of Delhi Capitals for Match 3 of IPL 2023

image-lfxtb6m6Delhi's Class of 2023 (Twitter/DelhiCapitals)

Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. This has been Delhi Capitals (DC) throughout their journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Delhi are one of three franchises that have been participating in the league but are yet to win their maiden IPL title.

Can they break the 15-year-long jinx this season? This year, one can take a reasonable gamble on them, as they have a slick coach-captain combo. But would that happen? Only time can tell.

Heading into this season of the IPL, they need the services of their regular captain and wicketkeeper, Rishabh Pant. And that is a massive blow for them. But we have often seen an 'N' number of teams take such blows as a pile of motivation to cross any hurdle against them. 

Would it be the same in David Warner's case? We don't know that, but let us see their Strongest XI for the first match this season.


#1 David Warner (C)

image-lfns22gwIPL 2023: Warner was Rishabh Pant's deputy last season (iplt20.com)

In Pant's absence, Warner will be leading DC. The Australian veteran has to be their best bet as a captain, as he is one of the shrewdest minds and has an IPL trophy as a skipper. However, comparing Warner - that SRH's captain - to him skippering this team would be apples and oranges. 

Having said that, if steered well, Warner has all the ingredients in his galley to cook a match-winning recipe. Coupled with his batting prowess, Warner can also be Delhi's best batter this IPL season.


#2 Prithvi Shaw

image-lfr4prwvIPL 2023: Prithvi Shaw has been with DC from 2018 (Twitter)

There would be no-brainers in choosing Warner's opening partner this year. Shaw will undoubtedly be the second opener, and as head coach Ricky Ponting has said, this season will see the best of Prithvi Shaw. A lot of on & off-field has been going on in the young dasher's life, and he will be desperately looking to reply to his critics with the bat.

#3 Mitchell Marsh

image-lfr5au0yIPL 2023: Marsh is going a purple patch (iplt20.com)

If one has an in-form Mitchell Marsh, who else does one need? Last year, the explosive Australian did his job perfectly after he got fit. However, he needs to prove himself when he bats on the tough surfaces of Delhi. Having said that, Marsh is coming off a Player of the Series-worth ODI fold against India. 

The 31-year-old has already confirmed that he won't be bowling in the first half of the IPL, but when one has an in-form Marsh, the batter, what else does one need?

#4 Rilee Rossouw

image-lfr5gcs2IPL 2023: Rossouw is coming off a successful PSL (Twitter)

People might get shocked seeing Rossouw's inclusion over Rovman Powell, especially after what the latter did for Delhi last season. But how can a team ask Rossouw to sit out, especially afte the man is having the time of his season in the T20s in recent years. 

His of late performances earned him a comeback to the South African lineup for the T20 World Cup that took place in Australia last year. Plus, he smashed a century when the Proteas last toured India. 

Plus, the southpaw will a handy option in the middle order in absence of Rishabh Pant.


#5 Sarfaraz Khan (wk)

image-lfr6aukjIPL 2023: Sarfaraz played last season for DC (iplt20.com)

In unfortunate circumstances, things have become tailor-made for Sarfaraz. In Pant's absence, he will don the keeper's gloves and will have to perform a finisher's duty. The Mumbai batter is going through a dream phase in the domestic circuit, and now the opportunity has arrived for him to prove his mettle. 

His recent T20 numbers aren't flowery, but with just one Indian keeper in DC's ranks, Sarfaraz becomes an automatic choice. Now, he needs to replicate what he did for RCB in 2015, and he might get a bow from Coach Ponting as he got from Virat Kohli back then. 


#6 Manish Pandey

image-lfr6juipIPL 2023: DC bought Manish Pandey at INR 2.4 cr (Twitter)

Number six is not the best of spots for Pandey. However, with DC's limited choices ahead of IPL 2023, he would be the best weapon for this position. And it won't be entirely alien for MP as he has batted at No.5 and 6 for India in T20Is.

For all meme lovers, I have a hint for you! Remember that video of Pandey with MS Dhoni from South Africa? He batted at the same position in that series.


#7 Axar Patel

image-lfr6zos0

Axar Patel's stocks have skyrocketed since last year's Caribbean tour. Now, he is considered a prolific batter who can complete the job for the team. And his newly-wedded skillset would come in super handy for DC this year.

The spin-bowling all-rounder would be providing balance with both bat and ball, and his left-handed batting would be one thing that the team management might use to cover the massive void left due to Pant's absence.

Not to curse it, but Axar Patel might be the X-Factor who may help Delhi lift their maiden silverware this year. 


#8 Kuldeep Yadav

image-lfs13ihnIPL 2023: Kuldeep snapped 21 wickets last season (iplt20.com)

A Chinaman is a rare commodity in cricket, and if a Chinaman can hit the right lines and lengths consistently, he comes a pure dust gold. Kuldeep Yadav saw his resurgence last year during his time with Delhi. He emerged as DC's best bowler when he got the freedom and confidence from the team management. Again, he can do something special this year for the team, and the conditions at Delhi would favour the left-arm wrist-spinner. 

And honestly, Delhi doesn't have a spinner of Kuldeep's calibre in their squad. 


#9 Chetan Sakariya

image-lfs1493hIPL 2023: Sakariya migrated from RR to DC last year (ipl20.com) 

There's nothing that Chetan Sakariya can't do with the ball in hand. He can bowl with the new ball, he can come in as a change bowler in the middle phase, and he also has variations up his sleeves to test any kind of batter in the death overs.

The DC management might have a tussle between him and Khaleel Ahmed. The latter was given the nod ahead last year, and he performed exceptionally well for them in IPL 2022. However, leading upto the tournament, Sakariya has been in phenomenal form, whereas Khaleel hasn't played much cricket.

Sakariya is one of many emerging pacers from India's left-armers' factory. At the age of just 25 years, he has proven himself to play top-flight cricket. This season, it is his time to spread his wings and let the world watch his prowess. 


#10 Mustafizur Rahman


Delhi have the likes of Mustafizur Rahman and Lungi Ngidi, but they can't match Nortje's class. Very few cricketers can do what Nortje does, making the South African an exceptional bowler. Bowling at 150 clicks in every match through an IPL season is no joke.

Since, he would not be available for the first couple of matches, DC will be playing Mustafizur as the foreign pace-bowler.



#11 Mukesh Kumar

image-lfs17mszIPL 2023: Mukesh Kumar plays for Bengal in domestic cricket

A lot of buzz was created when a not-so-known Mukesh Kumar started a bidding war between CSK, PBKS and DC before getting ultimately picked at a whooping price of INR 5.5 cr. 

Although Mukesh numbers in T20 cricket aren't that impressive as after 23 matches, he has scalped a mere 25 wickets at an economy rate of 7.20, with his strike rate being 19.7. However, his stats in red-ball cricket is literally jaw-dropping, with 149 wickets after 39 fixtures.

The little we know about the right-arm seamer tells us that he's a great customer with the newer ball, and in this combination, he can be a perfect fit to assist Anrich Nortje and Chetan Sakariya.

image-lfxwqfakDelhi Capitals Predicted XI (Source: OneCricket)