The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most famous and observed cricket leagues in the world. The teams lead to fierce competition every year, bringing together players from around the world to represent the franchises. Delhi Capitals (DC) have been a well-known team in the IPL since it was renamed by the Delhi Daredevils in 2018. DC quickly became a fan favorite, owing to the huge fan base of players from the Delhi region. DC has a unique pool of young energy as well as old guns.
What’s There For Delhi Capitals In 2025
The Delhi Capitals are starting on a fresh journey in the 2025 Indian Premier League season, with the street-smart Axar Patel taking over the leadership reins. The departure of local hero Rishabh Pant from Delhi Capitals to LSG has presented new challenges for the franchise. The acquisition of experienced wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul during the auction has provided some much-needed depth. Despite not having won an IPL title yet, Delhi enters the new season with significant changes to both their squad and coaching staff, looking to capitalize on fresh talent and strategic shifts.
Delhi Capitals, What Works For Them
For Delhi Capitals in 2025, the top-order batting is a major strength factor. The trio of Jake Fraser-McGurk, Faf du Plessis, and KL Rahul are expected to provide the team with a good start. Fraser-McGurk, who showcased his explosive batting power last season. He will be complemented by the experience and stability of Du Plessis and Rahul. This solid top-order batting lineup promises to address the instability that plagued the Delhi Capitals.
Team Delhi Capitals excelled in the death overs. They had the best economy rate (9.52) from the 16th to 20th over, across the last two seasons. DC’s bowlers conceded boundaries from just 19.14% of deliveries in 27 innings. Mukesh Kumar, who picked up nine wickets in this phase, will once again be the key. He will join Mitchell Starc, bringing the left-arm angle and toe-crushing yorkers. Mohit Sharma, renowned for his deceptive variations is also there in Delhi Capitals.
While the top-order remains Delhi Capitals’ biggest strength, the middle-order is where games will be won or lost for Delhi Capitals. The likes of Ashutosh Sharma, and Abhishek Porel are inexperienced but have plenty of hunger to prove themselves. With Axar Patel and Tristan Stubbs also occupying different roles in the middle order, DC can go on to create one of the most fearsome middle orders of IPL 2025 if the young guns go on to fire.
DC, What Needs to Be Addressed
One of DC’s biggest worries heading into the new season lies in the leadership group. Axar Patel hasn’t yet led any franchise on a full-time basis in the IPL. He is a relatively inexperienced name on the roster. But, the franchise’s decision to name Faf du Plessis the vice-captain does bring some promise to the team. With KL Rahul deciding to step away from any leadership role, the situation does put Delhi Capitals in a spot of bother. Also, the top batting line-up needs to provide explosive batting from the top for Delhi Capitals. Rajasthan Royals is a direct competition, they need to watch out.
With Axar Patel holding the baton as the captain, Delhi Capitals are embarking on a new journey in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. Rishabh Pant’s departure from the franchise surely has left a noticeable gap. It has invited challenges for the franchise which to some degree were compensated by KL Rahul’s acquisition during the auction. As DC still awaits an IPL victory, their best hope is to harness their fresh talent and strategize well.
One of Delhi Capitals’ biggest concerns upon entering the new season lies in their leadership group. Axar Patel is still a novice leading any franchise on a full-time basis. However, Delhi Capital’s decision to appoint Faf du Plessis as the vice-captain conveys significant promise on the team’s end. At the same time, KL Rahul’s decision to resign from any leadership role puts DC on a tightrope. Moreover, the top batting line-up needs to deliver an explosive batting performance to salvage Delhi Capitals.
Conclusion: Delhi Capitals, 2025 IPL Season Final Thoughts
DC have missed out on the play-offs for three years in a row but they have a good chance of a top-four finish. This has been a good auction for Delhi Capitals. Letting Pant go allowed them to bring in KL Rahul for half the price as well as Starc and Faf du Plessis. Starc could give them the cutting edge with the ball Delhi Capitals lacked last season. While DC has one of the best spin attacks in Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav the top six looks seriously exciting. As long as the first XI stays relatively fit and Axar settles in quickly as captain, DC will be a threat to everyone.
The top order continues to be Delhi Capitals’ biggest and most reliable strength for now. However, the middle order is where the game gets serious and decisive too. Players like Ashutosh Sharma and Abhishek Porel are relatively inexperienced but have plenty of potential to prove themselves. With Axar Patel and Tristan Stubbs also set to play in the middle order, DC can go on to form one of the most formidable middle orders of IPL 2025.
Additionally, the chances of major players sustaining injuries is one of the biggest risks facing DC in the 2025 Indian Premier League season. The team could be impacted if a bowler like Natarajan, who is prone to injuries, gets injured. The same applies to any of the other pace specialists.
DC is largely dependent on Starc, Natarajan, and Chameera for pace. Hence, these players need to remain in good stead on the field in any case. The Delhi Capitals’ lack of depth in their spin department could cause them to struggle in situations where spinners are dominant.
