IPL 2020 Special: Predicted Playing 11 of Delhi Capitals (DC)

With a strong Indian core in focus, let’s look at the predicted playing 11 of Delhi Capitals (DC) for IPL 2020.

The tide of positivity, the tide of optimism seems to have been slowly shifting in the Delhi Capitals camp over the last couple of years. While the last season was a breakthrough campaign, the upcoming edition is likely to give Delhi Capitals their best chance of winning their maiden Trophy. 

Led by the charismatic Shreyas Iyer, Delhi Capitals have followed the successful template set by Mumbai Indians; that of utilizing the pre-auction trade window effectively. During this period, Delhi hired Ajinkya Rahane and Ravichandran Ashwin, both veteran cricketers, who will share tons of experience with the youth of this Team. 

Moreover, Delhi did well at the Auction too, and set a positive tone for the forthcoming season. While Shimron Hetmyer was the costliest buy for the team at INR 775L, Delhi made a few bargain purchases in the form of Chris Woakes and Jason Roy. Also, the signings of Alex Carey, Marcus Stoinis, and Mohit Sharma strengthened the bench of this team.

The ‘Strong’ Indian Core and Kagiso Rabada: 

While a few other teams are struggling to field seven quality Indian cricketers, DC have done well to assemble some of the best cricketers from India. They have a solid Indian core in batting as well as the bowling department. 

According to us, the players who must play all the 14 games are Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shikhar Dhawan, and Kagiso Rabada. This means talented players like Ajinkya Rahane, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra, and Harshal Patel may sit out for a few games owing to team combination. 

Coming to the team’s overseas contingent, Shimron Hetmyer like Rabada may get to play all the games unless team management goes with 5 Indian batsmen. Based on the conditions and team combination, the third & fourth overseas spots could be rotated between Keemo Paul, Chris Woakes, Marcus Stoinis and Sandeep Lamichhane.

With a strong bench, Ricky Ponting can afford trying out multiple combinations next season. Anyway, here are the options and possibilities DC can look at when it comes to a proper playing 11.

Option 1: Indian batsmen and overseas bowlers

Looking at DC’s squad for IPL 2020, we can discern that the management has set up an exciting blend of Indian batsmen, and overseas bowlers. Interestingly, on the run-heavy tracks of Chinnaswamy or Wankhede, the team could actually utilize this to good effect.

While the big-hitting Indian batsmen are obviously good on these pitches, the skilled overseas bowlers can combine together to restrict the rate of run-scoring. While Rabada and Woakes can handle the powerplay, Keemo Paul could bowl a chunk of the death-overs. However, the spin-bowling duties are likely to remain with Ashwin and co.

On that note, here’s how the playing 11 would look if the Indians take care of the batting, and the overseas stars take care of the bowling in the line-up.

Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rishabh Pant (Wk), Keemo Paul, Harshal Patel, Chris Woakes, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sandeep Lamichhane, and Kagiso Rabada.

Option 2: The dilemma at the top and Ishant Sharma

The ‘problem of plenty’ is likely to be a headache for Delhi Capitals next season. The signing of Ajinkya Rahane makes one of him or Prithvi Shaw warm the bench. This is because both these batsmen are at their best while opening the batting. Besides, if they are pushed down the order, the balance of the team would be affected.

Being a left-hander, and a better bet at Delhi, Shikhar Dhawan will take up the role of the lead opener. In crunch games, Rahane could get the nod ahead of Prithvi. However, Shaw is a better fit overall for the Delhi Capitals given his attacking abilities. 

Concerning the Indian pacers, Ishant is likely to play few games next season having done well for them in 2019. Fitness issues and vulnerability on smaller grounds might be the deterring factors in Ishant’s selection to the team. If Ishant plays, then we could see one of Axar Patel or Amit Misra miss out in the playing 11.

Also, unless Shaw, Rahane, or Dhawan fails miserably, Carey and Roy are unlikely to play any games next season.

So, here’s Delhi Capitals’ predicted 11 with Ajinkya Rahane as the second opener and Ishant Sharma in the team:

Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw/ Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer (C), Shimron Hetmyer, Rishabh Pant (Wk), Marcus Stoinis, Keemo Paul, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra, and Kagiso Rabada.

Delhi Capitals Strongest XI: 

Overall, Delhi Capitals are most likely to field Hetmyer, Stoinis, Woakes, and Rabada as their 4 overseas players; initially at least. This would also be their strongest playing 11 with Iyer, Pant, and Hetmyer in the middle-order. Also, Prithvi Shaw is most likely to start ahead of his Mumbai teammate, Ajinkya Rahane in the line-up.

Delhi Capitals (DC) strongest predicted playing 11 for IPL 2020:

Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer (C), Shimron Hetmyer, Rishabh Pant (Wk), Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Chris Woakes, Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, and Kagiso Rabada.

So, that’s how Delhi Capitals stand when it comes to their predicted playing 11 for IPL 2020. What changes you would have made to the playing 11? Please, share your thoughts on business@cricalytics.com

---

ALSO READ: IPL 2020 Exclusive: Rating the Strongest Playing XI of Each Team

---

© AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics