IPL 2020: Analyzing the Strengths and Weaknesses of Delhi Capitals (DC)

A solid Indian batting line-up, the highlight as we look at the strengths and weakness(es) of Delhi Capitals (DC) for IPL 2020.

After an impressive outing in IPL 2019, Delhi Capitals retained most of their core with the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Kagiso Rabada, etc. However, they also let go of some of their underutilized or under-performing players including Colin Munro, Colin Ingram, Chris Morris, etc. 

In return, Delhi Capitals did some interesting purchases in the IPL 2020 Auction. They bought the attacking Alex Carey and Jason Roy to strengthen their batting, Chris Woakes, Mohit Sharma, Lalit Yadav, Tushar Deshpande to strengthen their bowling, and two expensive buys in the form of Shimron Hetmyer and Marcus Stoinis. 

But, have Delhi Capitals got the right squad to have a shot at their maiden trophy? Let’s analyze the squad, and look at the strengths and weakness(es) of Delhi Capitals (DC) for IPL 2020. 

Delhi Capitals (DC) squad for IPL 2020: 

Batsmen	Ajinkya Rahane, Alex Carey (WK), Jason Roy, Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh Pant (WK), Shikhar Dhawan, Shimron Hetmyer, and Shreyas Iyer (C)
All-rounders	Axar Patel, Chris Woakes, Lalit Yadav, Marcus Stoinis, and Keemo Paul.
Bowlers	Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan, Harshal Patel, Ishant Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, Mohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sandeep Lamichhane, and Tushar Deshpande.

Strengths of Delhi Capitals for IPL 2020:

#1: Solid Indian Top 5:

With the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw, and Ajinkya Rahane, Delhi Capitals might be the only team that can field a solid Indian top 5. Whether they do it or not is a different question, but all 5 are good enough to play if played in the right batting positions. 

But, what’s the benefit of fielding an all India top 5? Well, it gives them a solid option of fielding strong overseas all-rounders and bowlers. Thus, they can afford to play quality players like Kagiso Rabada, Chris Woakes. Marcus Stoinis, Keemo Paul, and Sandeep Lamichhane according to the pitch and situation. 

#2: Proper Backups in all areas: 

Another area where Delhi Capitals have a stronghold, and that is the presence of proper backups in all areas. If we analyze, in the opening department, Delhi Capitals have Jason Roy, and in middle-order, they have Alex Carey and Shimron Hetmyer.

In the all-rounder’s category, they have Axar Patel, Marcus Stoinis, and Chris Woakes as their first choice backup. While the quality of backups in the pace department may be questionable, the likes of Mohit Sharma, Avesh Khan, and, Harshal Patel more or less fulfill the backups’ requirement. 

#3: Strong Spin Department:

Delhi Capitals are one of the only few teams to boast a solid spin department with good backups available. The likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Amit Mishra, and Sandeep Lamichhane form such a fantastic spin quartet that doesn’t matter which two or three you play, they would look threatening.

Weakness(es) of Delhi Capitals for IPL 2020:

While the Delhi  Capitals’ batch of 2020 does look formidable on paper, they do carry a weakness as mentioned below. 

#1: Lack of a Strong Indian Pacer

When Mumbai Indians have Jasprit Bumrah, Chennai Super Kings have Deepak Chahar, Sunrisers Hyderabad plenty, Kings XI Punjab have Mohammed Shami, and so on, Delhi Capitals’ best Indian pacer is Ishant Sharma.

While Ishant Sharma is definitely experienced, his capabilities in T20s are limited for pitches that offer swing and lateral movement. Whereas Mohit Sharma is of the prime, and Avesh Khan is young and inexperienced. Harshal Patel is a good option, but he is a medium pacer suited for slow and low pitches of Delhi. 

CONCLUSION:

Delhi Capitals finished in the top 4 in IPL 2019 under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer with a slightly below par team as compared to their IPL 2020 team, which looks even more threatening. That means, they have a solid chance of finishing in the top 4 for the second time in a row, the feat they have achieved only once in 2009. However, they would finally like to get off the mark with their name on the trophy. 

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.

Thanks for reading! What is it that you like the most in Delhi Capitals? Please, let’s know in the comments. 

---

ALSO READ: IPL 2020 Special: Predicted Playing XI of Delhi Capitals (DC)

---

© AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics