IPL 2024: Strongest Playing XI for Delhi Capitals (DC) (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
In the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL), Delhi Capitals (DC) played under David Warner’s captaincy in Rishabh Pant’s absence. Under the Aussie’s leadership, DC couldn’t do well and ended up in the ninth spot on the points table. After failing to reach the playoffs for two consecutive seasons, Capitals will look to quench their thirst for the trophy under Pant, who will make a comeback in the 2024 IPL edition.
Following the disappointing 2023 season, Delhi got rid of some non-performing players and fetched nine players for INR 19.05 crore in the 2024 IPL auction in Dubai. Harry Brook, Tristan Stubbs, Jhye Richardson, and Shai Hope were notable buys while Jharkhand’s wicket-keeper Kumar Kushagra became their most expensive purchase. Following the business event, it’s time to know the probable playing XI of DC.
Here is the best predicted XI of Delhi Capitals (DC) after the 2024 IPL auction:
1. Prithvi Shaw
Prithvi Shaw. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Prithvi Shaw came under fierce criticism for his underwhelming batting display in the 2023 IPL. The youngster played eight matches and scored only 106 runs at a strike rate of 124.70 and a below-par average of 13.25. However, his disappointing batting show didn’t break DC’s trust as the franchise retained him for the 2024 season.
Shaw will have to display his batting mettle in 2024. Along with Warner, he will have to give fierce starts to the side. The right-handed batter played for Northampton in England’s One-Day Cup and played some extraordinary knocks. Against Somerset, he played 244-run innings and broke into the record books.
2. David Warner
David Warner Delhi Capitals. (Photo Source: ARUN SANKAR/AFP via Getty Images)
David Warner led the team in 2023 but couldn’t leave an impact with his leadership skills. Under his captaincy, DC ended up the second to last on the points table with only five wins in 14 matches. With the return of Rishabh Pant, he might not be seen in the captaincy role in 2024. Talking about his batting performance, he became the leading run-getter for the side with 516 runs in 14 games at a strike rate of 131.63.
However, he never looked as aggressive with his bat in the season as he used to be. In initial games, he came under criticism for his timid batting approach. The veteran has recently announced his retirement from longer formats of the game. Following this decision, he will look to play freely with a fierce approach. The T20 extravaganza in India will also help him to gear up for the 2024 T20 World Cup in Australia.
3. Mitchell Marsh
Mitchell Marsh of Australia celebrates after reaching his century. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Mitchell Marsh will strengthen DC’s top order along with Shaw and Warner. In the previous season, he piled up horrendous numbers with his bat. The right-handed batter played nine matches and scored 128 runs at an average of 14.22 and a strike rate of 131.95.
Marsh is an exceptional hitter of the ball which makes him dangerous for bowlers in initial powerplay overs. The 32-year-old has been looking in great touch recently with his bat and he will look to carry his form forward in the cash-rich league. DC will also want him to step up and display his beat as he is one of the most experienced names in the team.
4. Rishabh Pant (Captain)
Rishabh Pant. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
Rishabh Pant will be back in cricketing action almost after one-and-a-half years. The left-handed batter will strive to announce his comeback in a great manner. The DC team management will hand him the captaincy mantle for the upcoming season and he will be expected to lead the side from the front.
As a batter, he will have to produce scintillating knocks for the Capitals to travel with the Indian team for the 2024 T20 World Cup in the Caribbean islands. The southpaw began his IPL career with DC in 2016 and since then, he has played several extraordinary knocks for the team. Talking about his overall record, he has accumulated 2838 runs in 98 games at a strike rate of 147.97.
5. Harry Brook
Harry-Brook. (Photo Source: X/Twitter)
DC signed up England’s young batting stalwart Harry Brook for INR 4 crore in the 2024 IPL auction held in Dubai. Delhi got the better of Rajasthan Royals (RR) on the auction table to reserve Brook’s services. In the upcoming tournament, he will have to display his best in a DC jersey as he can’t afford to have another dismal season after his disastrous league debut in 2023.
Donning Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) jersey, he put up a flop show with his bat. Playing 11 matches, he scored only 190 runs at a low average of 21.11 and a strike rate of 123.38. The youngster will look to be impactful in the new team and become a notable name in the cash-rich competition.
6. Kumar Kushagra (Wicketkeeper)
Kumar Kushagra. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Jharkhand’s wicketkeeper batter Kumar Kushagra was picked up for INR 7.2 crore in the 2024 IPL auction. The 19-year-old will look to rock the tournament and justify his amount. In domestic T20s, he has scored 140 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 117.64. Despite his ordinary numbers, he convinced the franchise to invest a huge amount in him.
Kushagra might be seen as a stumper in the playing XI as Pant’s role as a wicketkeeper is uncertain. In the batting role, he will have to provide stability to the middle order. The teen has the best opportunity to prove himself in IPL and his hefty amount might get the best out of him.
7. Axar Patel
Axar Patel. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)
Axar Patel will be a crucial name in the team due to his all-round skills. For Capitals, he can do the job that Ravindra Jadeja does for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). With the ball, he will assist Kuldeep Yadav to reinforce DC’s spin-bowling unit while as a batter, his role will be to bat in the lower middle order and deliver match-finishing knocks to the team.
In 2023, Patel was economical with the ball but couldn’t deliver wickets to the team when it needed the most. The DC team management will want the 29-year-old to be a wicket-taking bowler in 2024. Patel adds variety to DC’s spin attack with his slow left-arm bowling. On Delhi’s batting pitch, they can be effective with their spin bowling.
8. Mukesh Kumar
Mukesh Kumar. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Mukesh Kumar was ineffective for Delhi in his debut season, picking up only seven wickets in 10 games at an expensive economy of 10.51. After IPL, he made his debut in India colours and delivered some decent performances to the team. Following his satisfactory international performance, DC extended their contract with him.
In 2024, he will have to prove himself in the DC squad. The 30-year-old has played 11 T20 Internationals (T20Is) within a year and has taken 10 wickets at an economy of 9.28. Following the international debut, the pacer’s morale will be high and his endeavours will be to produce fire with the ball in the upcoming IPL edition.
9. Anrich Nortje
Anrich Nortje. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
South Africa speedster Anrich Nortje will spearhead DC’s pace attack in 2024. The Protea’s experience and skills are important for Capitals. He has been a part of the team since 2020 and in these four years, he has clinched 53 wickets in 40 contests at an economy of 8.32.
The speedster hasn’t played any T20 games since May 2023 and also missed the 2023 World Cup tournament for his national side. Before the 2024 T20 World Cup, his endeavours will be to get completely fit and participate in the IPL. If he regains his fitness, the paceman will also get a chance to test his bowling form in the league while serving DC.
10. Khaleel Ahmed
Khaleel Ahmed. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)
Khaleel Ahmed’s left-arm bowling makes him special in DC’s pace attack. Along with right-arm pacers, he can add variety to Delhi’s fast-bowling unit. The 26-year-old has variations in his armoury to outwit batters. He also possesses the potential to swing the ball both ways.
In the previous IPL season, his performance was below average but the DC team management’s confidence in him is intact and he will feature in Delhi’s jersey again in 2024. The 26-year-old will have to prove his franchise’s decision correct with his performance. His last T20 appearance was in the 2023-24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Playing for Rajasthan, the paceman put up a decent show with the ball, claiming eight wickets in five games at an economy of 7.95.
11. Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav (Photo Source: DC/Twitter)
Kuldeep Yadav will be a key member of DC as his responsibility will be to lead the team’s spin attack. Serving the side since 2022, he has got 31 wickets in 28 matches at an economy of 7.90. In the last season, DC disappointed their supporters and Kuldeep also failed to showcase his best.
Playing 14 games in the 2023 IPL, he racked up only 10 wickets at an economy of 7.36. Kuldeep has performed exceptionally for India in recent matches. Noting his form, DC skipper Rishabh Pant will look to utilise him brilliantly to extract the desired results in the upcoming competition.
