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Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Capitals, Match 34. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
Delhi Capitals (DC) spent INR 19.05 crore in the 2024 IPL auction and signed up nine players. Their notable buys were England batter Harry Brook and Australia pacer Jhye Richardson. The young English stalwart went to the Capitals for INR 4 crore while the Aussie speedster was fetched for INR 5 crore. Along with these international players, the franchise has shown faith in some domestic players.
In the last two seasons, Capitals haven’t performed upto expectations but in 2023, they will look to showcase their mettle and lift the trophy. They played the 2023 season under the veteran David Warner’s captaincy and ended up in the ninth spot on the IPL points table. After a couple of dismal editions, they will endeavour to play attacking cricket in 2024 and clinch the coveted trophy.
Their regular skipper Rishabh Pant might also make a comeback in the upcoming tournament and with his return, DC will look to elevate their performance. Following their purchases in the recently concluded business event, it’s time to do the SWOT analysis of the 2020 IPL runners-up.
Delhi Capitals’ Strengths:
Exceptional top-order
David Warner Delhi Capitals. (Photo Source: ARUN SANKAR/AFP via Getty Images)
Delhi Capitals will bank on the Aussie veteran David Warner and youngster Prithvi Shaw to get fierce starts while batting. Shaw struggled to be among the runs in the last season but after the dismal performance, he looked extraordinary with his bat in England’s 2023 One-Day Cup. Serving Northamptonshire, he smashed 429 runs in just four matches at a breathtaking average of 143. Against Somerset, he also played a historic knock of 244 off just 153.
While talking about Warner, he didn’t look spunky in the 2023 IPL season but his recent performance will bring joy to the faces of DC supporters. In Australia’s record-extending title victory, he contributed 535 runs with his bat in just 11 matches at a superb average of 48.63. Both openers will look to continue the aggressive brand of cricket in the upcoming T20 extravaganza.
At number three, Mitchell Marsh will be given the task of amassing runs swiftly for the team. The right-handed batter is capable of taking quality bowling attacks to the cleaners, riding on his power-hitting capability. All three players have looked excellent in white-ball cricket recently and DC supporters will expect them to do wonders with their bats in the 2024 season.
Talented youngsters in the middle-order
Harry Brook Delhi Capitals. (Photo Source: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
Capitals reserved England batter Harry Brook’s services for INR 4 crore in the 2024 IPL auction. With the addition of the 24-year-old, DC’s middle order will be reinforced. In 2023, he faced a lot of criticism for failing to justify his hefty amount of INR 13.25 crore in the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) squad. Forgetting his disastrous debut season, Brook will look to be among the runs in 2024.
In 2023, DC tried Phil Salt and Rilee Rossouw in the middle order but both failed to deliver fine numbers to the team. Brook’s responsibility will be to stabilise the middle order with his presence. The right-handed England player exuded his confidence with the bat in the 2023 Hundred (Men’s Competition), hitting 238 runs in seven innings of eight matches at a phenomenal strike rate of 196.69. In DC colours, he will strive to dominate batters with his sensational batting technique.
Captain Rishabh Pant is expected to return to competitive cricket almost after one-and-a-half years. The southpaw is a brilliant hitter of the ball and the DC team management might give him the role of a match-finisher in the side. There are several instances to recount when Pant took the Capitals home with his hard-hitting capability.
Quality pace attack
Anrich Nortje Delhi Capitals. (Photo Source: NOAH SEELAM/AFP via Getty Images)
Capitals have some experienced international pacers in their squad. Anrich Nortje, Ishant Sharma, Jhye Richardson, and Lungi Ngidi are some illustrious names who will bolster DC’s fast-bowling unit. Ishant is performing well consistently for Delhi in the domestic circuit while Ngidi also exuded confidence for South Africa in the 2023 World Cup. Mukesh Kumar’s diligence has given him a golden opportunity to prove himself in team India.
Delhi Capitals’ Weaknesses
Lack of quality match-finishers
Axar Patel Delhi Capitals. (Photo Source: INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images)
Delhi have only Rishabh Pant as a reliable finisher in their team. In the skipper’s absence, Axar Patel donned the role in 2023 and failed to play his part efficiently. Batting in the lower middle order, he produced some blazing knocks but didn’t succeed in taking the team home. At the auction, DC had an opportunity to rope in some quality finishers but they failed to do that. They have the all-rounder Lalit Yadav in the team but he can’t be considered a credible finisher.
Delhi Capitals’ Opportunities
Shai Hope Delhi Capitals. (Photo Source: Ashley Allen/Getty Images)
New members of the team such as Harry Brook and Shai Hope will look to showcase their potential to reserve their spots in the team. The franchise has got a match-winner like Brook for just INR 4 crore. Following the horrendous performance in 2023, the England star will have to prove himself in the upcoming T20 extravaganza to keep his IPL career alive.
DC’s opener Prithvi Shaw looked completely out of rhythm in the last season so he will look to show his best batting efforts in 2024 to solidify his position in the team. The previous failures of both batters might work in the team’s favour as the pressure might get the best out of them and save their IPL careers which are in a precarious state.
Delhi Capitals’ Threats
Injury-prone players
The DC team management is still not ensured about the participation of their pace sensation Anrich Nortje. The 30-year-old is yet to return to international cricket after failing to show up for South Africa in the 2023 World Cup.
