IPL 2020: 3 Players who can help Delhi Capitals (DC) win the IPL
Just like IPL 2018 and IPL 2019, Rishabh Pant would once again be the core match-winner for Delhi Capitals as we look at the 3 players who can help them win IPL 2020.
The wooden-spoon holders of the IPL on most of the occasions, the Delhi Capitals saw a drastic change in fortune last year as a change in kit, logo, and the name worked wonders for the Delhi-based franchise as they qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
Including a young and dynamic captain, Shreyas Iyer, Delhi Capitals invested a lot in the youth over the last two years. But, IPL 2020 saw the team focussed more on the balancing act. They started with pre-auction trade in the form of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane, and then bought many more experienced players at the auction.
The management added steel to the bench by procuring the likes of Alex Carey and Jason Roy, apart from hiring a few first-teamers in the form of Marcus Stoinis and Shimron Hetmyer. The squad looks well-rounded now, and if managed well, positive results could easily follow.
However, the focus would still be on the few big-game players, on whom the team would rely to have a smooth sailing in the tournament. So, in this article, we have identified the 3 most important players (1 each from batting, bowling, and all-rounder category), who can help Delhi Capitals win the IPL 2020 trophy.
Bowling: Kagiso Rabada
Alternative(s): Ravichandran Ashwin and Ishant Sharma
While Kagiso Rabada ranks 5th in the ODI and Test bowling charts of ICC, the South African is surprisingly ranked 76th in the world T20I rankings- predominantly because, he hasn’t played a lot of T20I cricket, and whenever he played, it has been in parts.
But, when it comes to Delhi Capitals, Kagiso is the leader of the pace attack for them. He was quite instrumental for them last year as the 25-year-old picked 25 wickets, and proved to be a master at the death. The best of the batsmen found it difficult to tackle him, and often, they had to surrender their wickets to the Proteas speedster.
With a very underwhelming pace attack around him, Rabada’s performance will be vital for DC next season. The entire fast-bowling department will work around him- especially now that Chris Woakes has withdrawn from the tournament. Hence, if Delhi need to dream of the trophy, Rabada’s form has to be on the trigger.
All-rounder: Marcus Stoinis
Alternative(s): Axar Patel and Keemo Paul
A last-minute buy at the auction table, Marcus Stoinis has all the potential to steer the fortunes of Delhi Capitals towards the trophy in IPL 2020. In the lower middle-order or even the top-order on some occasions, the Aussie will have a crucial role to execute next season.
The highest run-getter of the recently completed BBL, Stoinis displayed fine T20 batting skills consistently at the top for Melbourne Stars. He amassed 705 runs from 17 games, and ended as the player of the tournament. Last season, in the IPL too, Stoinis was decent with a few cameos at the end for RCB.
Although Stoinis has not bowled much recently, he can prove to be a wily customer with his medium-paced deliveries on slow and low tracks of Delhi. For the spin-heavy bowling unit, Stoinis can be the perfect option to fill in during the middle-overs. Therefore, the 30-year-old will be an important player for Delhi next season.
Batsman: Rishabh Pant
Alternative(s): Shreyas Iyer and Shikhar Dhawan
Although, the other batsmen in the DC line-up can win games on their own, almost none boasts of the ‘X-Factor’ that Rishabh Pant offers in abundance. Pant has the capability to snatch victories from unlikely situations, and this is exactly what he will bring to the table yet again.
With 1172 runs, and a strike-rate of above 160 in the last two editions, Pant has been in outstanding form for the franchise. He has looked composed and more confident in this team, and his returns are quite contrasting to International cricket, where he is struggling for form.
However, Pant looks a different beast in IPL, and the arrival of Shimron Hetmyer and Marcus Stoini, will only ease the burden on the youngster. He just needs a few solid minutes on the pitch to get his groove back. Moreover, his form would also be crucial for T20 World Cup 2020 scheduled later this year, where he might play the role of a finisher for Team India.
So, these are the three players who are going to play a crucial role in DC’s maiden IPL triumph. Apart from these, DC would need Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Ravichandran Ashwin to name a few key players to also step up.
Thanks for reading! Who among the above mentioned players do you think can help Delhi Capitals (DC) win the IPL 2020? Please let us know in the comments section.
ALSO READ: IPL 2020 Special: Delhi Capitals (DC) Squad Rating for the season
Nesara is an Author at AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics. He is an Engineer by profession. Watching Cricket, Football & Movies is one of his topmost priorities within the day.
