Delhi Capitals (DC), formerly known as Delhi Daredevils, despite being underdogs last season, managed to reach the playoffs and they will be expected to replicate the similar performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 as well. Starting to invest in youth after Rahul Dravid took charge in 2015, Delhi has finally started to get the results in their favor. They are yet to lift the coveted trophy, but qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in seven years gave the testimony of the potential of the team.
During the transfer window, DC did a lot of shopping as they traded-in some veterans like R Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane while trading out Trent Boult. Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmeyer, Chris Woakes, and Jason Roy are some of their notable buys in the auctions. However, Chris Woakes has now made himself unavailable for the upcoming season, putting the management in a little spot of bother.
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With their training sessions ahead of IPL 2020 in full swing, here we make an attempt of analyzing the DC squad and have a look at how it shapes up for the much-awaited return of top-level cricket. Here are the strengths and weaknesses of the Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2020.
DC – Strengths
#1 Indian Players
There is no denying the fact that Delhi Capitals have one of the strongest teams when it comes to Indian players, so much so that they have the capability of playing with an all-Indian lineup and still become a formidable XI. The perfect blend of youth and experience, which was the missing link in their squad, is now there with the likes of Rahane, Ashwin, Shikhar Dhawan, and Ishant Sharma added to the squad over the last couple of years.
#2 Batsmen and Bowlers
The batting line-up of Delhi Capitals as ever, more importantly, they now possess a lineup suited for their home track. The likes of Rahane, Dhawan, and Iyer have the capability of batting well on the wickets where the ball does not come on to the bat very well.
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For the slow and low pitch at Kotla now have better and more experienced personnel to take advantage of it. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Amit Mishra, and Sandeep Lamichhane comprise of the spin department, which is probably the strongest in the competition, and facing them at home will be an uphill task for any opposition.
DC – Weaknesses
#1 Injuries
With a formidable side on paper with no glaring weaknesses, Delhi Capitals will be high on confidence. However, the only concern they have is the back-up for the injury-prone Kagiso Rabada. His impact on a game can’t be gauged in numbers but after missing the 2018 season due to injury, he made a huge impact in 2019.
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Moreover, Ishant Sharma is nursing an injury and Chris Woakes pulling out of the IPL has added to the woes. Delhi would therefore need to have a fully fit Rabada if they want to go the distance.
#2 Backup options
Despite having a formidable batting order, which will make someone like Daniel Sams sit on the bench, Delhi will have the headache of managing the resources and fitting the right batsman in the right slot. If not handled well, the strong point might turn into their weakness, as has happened with many teams in the past.
Delhi Capitals IPL 2020 Squad
Shreyas Iyer, Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Daniel Sams, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Lamichhane, Kagiso Rabada, Keemo Paul, Mohit Sharma, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, R Ashwin, Marcus Stoinis, Chris Woakes, Rishabh Pant, Alex Carey, Shimron Hetmyer, Tushar Deshpande
