IPL 2022 | Can Rishabh Pant's Delhi Capitals finally lift the trophy this year?

The journey from Delhi Daredevils to Delhi Capitals has been a long one for the franchise. Players and leaders have come and yet the wait for their first-ever IPL title remains as elusive as ever. For the last three years, Delhi Capitals have been right on top throughout the league stage. Under Shreyas Iyer's captaincy, they reached the final in 2020. In 2021, Rishabh Pant took over from an injured Iyer as captain of the Delhi Capitals and helped his team finish atop the table with 20 points after the end of the league stage.

Last year, Marcus Stoinis, Kagiso Rabada and Shikhar Dhawan made their presence known whenever they stepped out on the field. All three performed brilliantly which was a major reason for their success in recent years. This time the story is a bit different as none of them are a part of the squad and it is not going to be easy to fill the big boots that have been left behind for the newcomers.

Rishabh Pant has matured not only as a batter and wicket-keeper but also as a cricketer. Pant has started reading and analyzing situations better which reflects in his batting quite a few times. If the Delhi Capitals skipper can sharpen his tactical skills from behind the stumps then it is highly likely that he can lead his team to their first title in the IPL.

Let's have a look at the squad that the Delhi Capitals managed to put together after the mega-auction which took place last month in Bengaluru.

Uncertainty at the top

Prithvi Shaw will partner with David Warner at the top of the order for the Delhi Capitals this season. Previously, it was Shikhar Dhawan who partnered Shaw up top and was very successful. Since 2019, Dhawan has consistently scored over 500 runs every season which shows the kind of stability he gave to the Delhi-based franchise at the top of the order. However, with the left-hander moving to Punjab Kings it is yet to be seen what David Warner can do. In 2021, Prithvi Shaw played 15 games for the Delhi Capitals and scored 479 runs with an average of 31.93 and a strike rate of 159.13. However, Shaw's career average and strike rate in IPL is a bit lower than what he achieved last year. In the 53 games that he has featured in since 2019, Shaw has scored 1305 runs with an average of 24.62 and a strike rate of 146.30.

David Warner, on the other hand, has a lot of experience and helped Sunrisers Hyderabad win the IPL back in 2016. The Australian batter had a horrendous IPL season last year. He was sacked from SRH captaincy mid-season and was even dropped from the team after his poor showing with the bat. Warner played eight games for his former franchise in 2021 and managed to score just 195 runs with an average of 24.37 and a strike rate of 107.73. It is important to note that Warner will only be available from April 6 for the IPL and prior to that Yash Dhull might be opening with Prithvi Shaw. 

David Warner has consistently scored over 500 runs every season since making his debut back in 2014 and it was only in 2021 that his form dropped which led to his ouster from SRH. The left-hander in his IPL career has so far played 150 games and scored 5449 runs with an average of 41.59 and a strike rate of 139.96. It will be interesting to see if David Warner can return to form and better the legacy that Shikhar Dhawan has left behind.

Till last season, Delhi Capitals had big names when it came to middle-order batters. The likes of Shreyas Iyer, Marcus Stoinis, Steve Smith, Ajinkya Rahane and Shemron Hetmyer made it look like a dangerous side. But, Delhi Capitals did not get any of them back in the mega-auction which makes their middle-order look a bit inexperienced and opposition teams can use this a chance to create pressure on them.

Delhi Capitals bought Mitchell Marsh in place of Marcus Stoinis in the mega auction last month. The former SRH all-rounder did brilliantly in the T20 World Cup last year and looks like a great buy for the Delhi Capitals and could potentially bat at number three for them. But, like David Warner, Mitchell Marsh too will only be available after April 6 due to their ongoing tour of Pakistan. 

This brings us to Sarfaraz Khan as this can be a blessing in disguise for the right-handed batter who has been performing consistently at the domestic level. Sarfaraz Khan can take the number three spot and show the world that he belongs at this stage. The right-handed batters' numbers aren't very great in the IPL so far. Sarfaraz Khan has played 40 games so far since 2015 in the IPL and scored 441 runs with an average of 23.21 and a strike rate of 138.24.

Rishabh Pant will most likely be batting at the number four slot from where he can anchor the innings and can also help his side finish well. The Delhi Capitals skipper has played 84 matches since making his debut in 2016 scoring 2498 runs with an average of 35.18 and a strike rate of 147.46. West Indies batter Rovman Powell could take up the number 5 position where the Delhi team will need a power-hitter who can help them give the impetus that is required in the final overs of the game.

Balanced bowling unit

Delhi Capitals in the last few years have dominated because of the bowling attack that they possess. Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada have troubled batters consistently. Kagiso Rabada like Shikhar Dhawan has moved to Punjab Kings for the upcoming season. Yet, Delhi Capitals have managed to put together a solid bowling line-up.

Shardul Thakur was bought by the Delhi franchise in the mega auction that was held in Bengaluru last month for a sum of Rs 10.75 crore. This goes on to show the kind of confidence that the team management has in Shardul Thakur's ability. The right-arm pacer who was a part of the Chennai Super Kings played an integral role for them to help his former franchise lift the trophy. Shardul Thakur has played 61 matches with 67 wickets under his belt at an economy rate of 8.89 and a strike rate of 18.80.

Anrich Nortje will be alongside Shardul Thakur provided he is fit to play. Nortje has been out of action since the commencement of the T20 World Cup last year. The South African pacer has picked 34 wickets from 24 matches with an economy rate of 7.65 and a strike rate of 16.11.Chetan Sakariya, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Lungi Ngidi and Mustafizur Rehman can add more power to the already threatening pace attack of the Delhi team.

In the spin department, Axar Patel will be starting in the playing XI. If conditions are spin-friendly then it is highly likely that Kuldeep Yadav will also be playing more often.

Delhi Capitals Strongest Possible XI: Prithvi Shaw, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant, Rovman Powell, Sarfaraz Khan, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Anrich Nortje, Mustafizur Rehman.

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