Captain: Axar Patel
Coach: HEMEMANG DANI
Home Venues: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi; ACA-VDCA CRICKET STADIUM, Visakhapatnam
Best Finish: Runner-up (2020)
Last Season: Sixth
Key Stats
1. Jake Fraser-McGurk’s PowerPlay Impact
168.04 – Since 2023, Jake Fraser-McGurk has recorded the third-best strike rate in the PowerPlay across all T20s (168.04), trailing only Travis Head (184.8) and Abhishek Sharma (181.47).
The 21-year-old made a sensational IPL debut for Delhi Capitals in 2024, amassing 330 runs at an explosive strike rate of 234.04. His remarkable performances meant he was retained ahead of the auction. As an opener, he will be expected to provide similarly aggressive starts, particularly on the quick-scoring surfaces of Delhi and Visakhapatnam.2. Addressing Spin Struggles
24.66 – Delhi Capitals endured two underwhelming seasons with the bat, often struggling against spin. It had the lowest batting average against spinners among all teams and scored at a modest 7.94 runs per over.
To rectify this, DC has bolstered its middle order with the likes of Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel and Sameer Rizvi, aiming for a stronger showing against slow bowling..3. Strength in Death Overs
9.52 – Delhi excelled in the death overs with the best economy rate (9.52) from the 16th to 20th over across the last two seasons. Its 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 key, now partnered with Mitchell Starc — bringing the left-arm angle and toe-crushing yorkers — and Mohit Sharma, renowned for his deceptive variations.
Predicted Playing XI
Top Order
1. Class satisfied
2. Jake Fraser-McGurk
3. Abishek porel
Middle Order & All-Rounders
4.
5. Tristan Stubbs
6. Axar Patel
7. Sameer Rizvi
8. Ashutosh Sharma
Bowlers
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Kuldeep Yadav
11. Mohit Sharma
Impact Player: Karun Nair / Vipraj Nigam
Final Thoughts
Delhi Capitals needs Fraser-McGurk’s aggressive starts, a more stable middle order, and its strong death bowling to challenge for the title. Can it break its trophy drought in IPL 2025?
