Rishabh Pant’s return has fuelled the Delhi Capitals ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. The 26-year-old keeper-batter underwent an extensive 14-month rehabilitation program prescribed by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) after suffering multiple injuries during a car accident in December 2022. The BCCI recently cleared Pant as a wicketkeeper-batter for the 2024 IPL season. Pant will return as DC’s skipper after having missed the 2023 campaign.
DC have several top performers in their squad and after a disappointing season, they will look to turn things around. DC will hope to find the flair of their campaigns witnessed between 2019 to 2021. They finished fifth and ninth when 10 teams came into the picture. DC will hope to ride on their settled core to get the best out of the campaign.
One massive blow for DC was the withdrawal of Harry Brook. They are now seeking his replacement. In the IPL 2024 auction, DC were one of the busiest sides. They spent heavily on Jhye Richardson and Kumar Kushagra, besides Englishman Brook. In the upcoming season, DC will count upon Australian duo David Warner and Mitchell Marsh. Among Indian players, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel are key assets.
Ahead of a cracking 2024 season, we analyze DC’s squad and their chances.
Delhi Capitals IPL 2024 season squad
Rishabh Pant, David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Yash Dhull, Abishek Porel, Axar Patel, Lalit Yadav, Mitchell Marsh, Pravin Dubey, Vicky Ostwal, Anrich Nortje, Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi, Khaleel Ahmed, Ishant Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Tristan Stubbs, Ricky Bhui, Kumar Kushagra, Rasikh Dar, Jhye Richardson, Sumit Kumar, Shai Hope, and Swastik Chikara.
Strengths of DC
Warner has been one of the prized assets of the IPL. He is the most successful foreign player with his stats being mesmerising. Warner was DC’s top scorer last season. The former SRH skipper will want to shine, given the T20 World Cup will be his last stint with the Aussies in international cricket. Mitchell Marsh was recently appointed Australia’s skipper for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. A champion performer, Marsh can bat anywhere in the DC line-up and his aggression will hand the side a massive boost. Marsh struggled last season, but we all know what a player he is.
Pant’s return is of big help. He will be hungry and keen to settle down as quickly as possible. DC need Pant’s supply of runs and the quality he possesses can be massive. Tristan Stubbs and Ranji Trophy 2024 highest scorer Ricky Bhui seem as able options in batting. There is Shai Hope as well, and DC can utilize his experience. Abhishek Porel and Yash Dhull boast of promise and character.
DC have a decent spin unit in Axar and Kuldeep Yadav. Lalit Yadav is a reasonable choice from the bench. DC will want to go out and express themselves with these three players in the mix. Kuldeep, in particular, can be a game-changer.
DC’s pace department is also solid. The capture of Richardson bodes well. He will lead the attack. Among Indian players, Khaleel Ahmed and Mukesh Kumar are ideal picks to support Richardson. Veteran Ishant Sharma lends support from the bench. In Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi, DC have the able support cast in pace.
Weaknesses of DC
Prithvi Shaw’s retention raised several eyebrows. Despite being a classy player, Shaw has never quite fulfilled the potential he has. He had a dismal IPL 2023 season. He has always been an inconsistent force.
The departure of Brook is a huge loss. DC need an able replacement and perhaps Phil Salt can come in given he represented DC last season and impressed. With several players struggling, it made Warner’s life difficult last season and that needs to be avoided.
Kushagra was bought for a massive sum, but he doesn’t have the ideal experience. He has played just 11 T20s to date and is a promising 19-year-old cricketer. He could be a hit or a miss.
DC will be dependent on their core bowlers as the bench lacks pedigree, especially on the Indian front. Lastly, DC lack proper finishers in the side and that’s a concern.
Probable Playing XI of DC
Prithvi Shaw, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Yash Dhull, Ricky Bhui, Rishabh Pant (c and wk), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jhye Richardson, Anrich Nortje, Mukesh Kumar.
Who are the impact players for DC?
With the Impact Player rule, teams can name five substitutes and use one of them when needed. If four foreign players are already named in the XI, the impact player can only be an Indian. For DC, Kushagra can be an option as a batter. DC can look at him when they bat and perhaps replace him with Mukesh while bowling. If DC want three spin options, Lalit can be an impact player with Shaw heading out. Impact players: Kumar Kushagra, Lalit Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Shai Hope, Abhishek Porel.
Players to watch out for
As per ESPNcricinfo, Warner owns 3178 runs in the power play overs in IPL. He averages a solid 48.15 from 167 innings. Warner has been dismissed 66 times. His strike rate reads 138.11.
Aussie pacer Richardson averages 21.32 in the last four overs in T20 cricket with the ball. He owns 34 scalps from 64 innings, conceding at 9.97. His impetus here will be key.
DC will finish in the bottom half
Looking at the overall squad offerings and departments, DC have the personnel but lack that overall threat. Inconsistency is an aspect alongside several new faces with not much IPL experience is an issue at large. DC are riding on hope this season. Certain areas remain questionable, and Pant’s form with the bat after missing action for so long remains a worry. It’s the batting where DC can struggle big, and that’s why they could land in the bottom half.
Meanwhile, the IPL earlier announced the schedule of the first 21 matches. The remaining fixtures will be announced in due course.
DC IPL 2024 schedule
March 23: Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals – Mohali – 3:30 PM IST
March 28: Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals – Jaipur 7:30 PM IST
March 31: Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings – Delhi – 7:30 PM IST
April 3 – Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Visakhapatnam, 7:30 PM IST
April 7: Mumbai Indian vs Delhi Capitals – Mumbai 3:30 PM IST