A revamped Delhi Capitals’ (DC) fortunes changed since 2019, the very edition when Sourav Ganguly joined the side as a mentor, forging a strong relationship with coach and old adversary Ricky Ponting.
Ganguly’s inputs (until he took charge of the BCCI), Ponting’s farsighted approach, coupled with Shreyas Iyer’s leadership – and, as some would say, a change in franchise name – propelled DC to a formidable phase. Their rise has coincided with the growing stature of Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw and the return of Shikhar Dhawan.
At the same time, they brought together Amit Mishra, R. Ashwin and Axar Patel, making their spin attack the best in the IPL. Their productivity since 2019 is a reflection of the importance of Indian players in the side. Then the inclusion of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje strengthened the pace battery.
DC have most of the basics covered. They continue to lead the points table in this edition. But can they eventually learn to cross the bridge between the playoffs and the trophy?
DC squad: Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Vishnu Vinod (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Prithvi Shaw, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan, Axar Patel, Ishant Sharma, R. Ashwin, Lalit Yadav, Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Anrich Nortje, Steve Smith, Kagiso Rabada, Umesh Yadav, Ripal Patel, Lukman Meriwala, Manimaran Siddharth, Tom Curran, Sam Billings, Pravin Dubey, Ben Dwarshuis*
*Chris Woakes has pulled out of IPL 2021.
SWOT Analysis of Delhi Capitals (DC) for IPL 2021
Strengths
The Indian cricketers form the core of DC, and that helps the overall balance. Dhawan and Shaw form the most devastating opening pair in the tournament. The return of Iyer strengthens the middle-order, allowing Pant more freedom to play his natural game. In Pant, Hetmyer, Billings, and Stoinis, they have enough firepower. DC also have steady backup batting options in Rahane and Smith.
Spin-to-win will be a critical formula in the UAE, and Delhi will have the edge over the others with their potent spin threat. Ashwin, Axar and Mishra are three different kinds of spinners, experienced and skilled at bowling at any stage.
The South African duo of Rabada and Nortje will helm the pace attack. There is plenty of backup in Umesh, Ishant, Avesh, and Tom Curran, while Stoinis’ presence lends the sixth bowling option.
Weakness
With several ageing limbs on the field, Delhi’s fielding will be under the scanner. Opponents will target the likes of Mishra and Ashwin on the field. Even Iyer returns from a severe injury. Smith and Rahane, two of their best fielders, are unlikely to start.
Pant’s strike rates in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 editions were 166, 174 and 163 respectively. Since 2020, it has dropped to 120. Even Iyer, whose strike rate used to hover in the mid-130s, is stuck at 122 since 2019. The two big players will need to show more urgency in the middle overs.
Vinod is the only other wicketkeeping option in the squad. The lack of backup is a concern if Pant misses out a few games like last season.
Opportunities
Ponting knows the most about lifting trophies. He will hope to rub that effect on the team, eyeing their first IPL triumph. Ever since Pant’s rise, there has been no escape for him from the looming shadow of M.S. Dhoni. Here is a chance for him to replicate his mentor and prove his credentials.
Despite their recent successes, Dhawan and Shaw have missed the bus for the T20 World Cup. The duo would like to prove the selectors wrong by lighting up the tournament. Changes to the national squad can still be made until 10 October.
Ashwin and Axar have a chance to compete internally to stake a claim at a berth in the India XI in the T20 World Cup.
Threats
Iyer’s leadership was among the reasons for Delhi’s rise. An injury forced him out in the season’s early part, and the captain’s cloak fell upon Pant. Despite his return, Iyer has not been reinstated. The Delhi camp will hope there is no friction between their two main men.
Woakes’ experience and skill-set will be missed. DC would have ideally liked to rotate between him and Nortje. Though Ben Dwarshuis adds variety to the pace attack with his left-arm option, he certainly isn't a like-for-like replacement for the Englishman.
Ishant and Mishra’s campaigns in 2020 ended due to injuries (Ishant missed the Oval Test match due to an injury as well), while Iyer and Avesh are returning from injuries. Pant missed a few games last season due to the same reason. DC has had issues with fielding a full-strength squad, which they will hope to do this time.
DC’s likely starting XI: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, R. Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje
DC remaining fixtures
- Wednesday, 22 September: DC vs SRH (Dubai)
- Saturday, 25 September: DC vs RR (Abu Dhabi)
- Tuesday, 28 September: DC vs KKR (Sharjah)
- Saturday, 2 October: DC vs MI (Sharjah)
- Monday, 4 October: DC vs CSK (Dubai)
- Friday, 8 October: DC vs RCB (Dubai)