Over the years, the Delhi-based franchise seem to have got everything right outside the field in terms of managing their team but on-field they have shown a tendency to choke at crucial moments. They pick all the right players from Kevin Pietersen to AB de Villiers, but their on-paper dominance could never be converted into a trophy. Akin to Belgium’s run in FIFA competitions, where they are always considered to be contenders, but fail to get any silverware. 

The top three, Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, and Shreyas Iyer of Delhi Capitals were another reason why they were able to post some huge totals on the board, the highest being 213 in the first match against Mumbai Indians. This dynamic trio contributed 60.58% of the total runs scored last year by DC, displaying their dependency on the top three and also goes to show the solid form of their batsmen.    

In the death overs as well they lagged behind their opponents, by scoring close to 39 runs on an average in the whole season while conceded at the rate of 45.28. This clearly shows the need for them to be more economical from the bowling point of view as their batting has done pretty decently and with the addition of Ajinkya Rahane, they should be even more consistent and stable in the middle order. 

Despite all the doubts and uncertainties surrounding their performance, one thing that can be promised is entertainment for the fans as they scored the majority of their runs in boundaries. Last year, they scored 66.43% of the total runs in boundaries, smashing 87 sixes and 236 fours in the process. On the bowling front, they have added Ravichandran Ashwin in the squad, who will be helpful in stopping the occasional slump from the bowlers along with Kagiso Rabada, who was their highest-taker last year taking 25 wickets. They did alright in the death overs in terms of wickets, picking almost 3 wickets on an average per match.  

Batting is undoubtedly their strong suit, backed by a strong support staff headed by Ricky Ponting, but their bowling hasn’t done that well when compared to their batting in the previous edition. The new additions will definitely bring in much more experience in the young squad but they will have to beat their ability to choke in the crucial games in order to get their hands on the trophy. This season could very well be a repeat of the initial seasons of Delhi based franchise, where they performed only on paper, however, DC has shown some glimpses of becoming a world-class team. There is no weakness in the team as such but the major question that surrounds them is whether they will show us a recap of Delhi we know or build on their run of last season.