Last Updated on 4 weeks by Charbel Coorey

Delhi Capitals (DC) enter the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season with great optimism. After a solid performance in the mega auction, DC look balanced with a mix of players who can deliver at different stages of the innings.

After making the final in 2020 and then finishing top of the league in 2021, DC have failed to qualify for the playoffs in three consecutive seasons. They came close in 2024, finishing sixth, and will now be seeking to win the big moments throughout this campaign.

DC IPL 2025 Preview: Is it the Capitals’ time?

DC Possible XII (for first game of season)

1. Faf du Plessis (OS), 2. Jake Fraser-McGurk (OS), 3. Abishek Porel, 4. Tristan Stubbs (OS), 5. Axar Patel (c), 6. Sameer Rizvi, 7. Ashutosh Sharma, 8. Mitchell Starc (OS), 9. Mukesh Kumar, 10. Kuldeep Yadav, 11. T Natarajan, 12. Mohit Sharma

KL Rahul could miss the first two matches of the season as he and his wife are expecting the birth of their child. Faf du Plessis, the vice-captain, may open alongside Jake Fraser-McGurk, who smashed 110 off 39 balls in a practice match.

Balanced batting lineup cause for excitement

KL Rahul slotting into a lineup featuring the experience of Faf du Plessis, reliability of Axar Patel, and power of Jake Fraser-McGurk, Tristan Stubbs and Ashutosh Sharma is reason for excitement. Expect Rahul to play with freedom this season, especially given he won’t be captain plus the issues he had with the LSG management.

Ashutosh Sharma in particular is an astute pickup. Ashutosh, who had a strike rate of 167.25 in IPL 2024, was snapped up for just 3.80 crore by DC. He is one to watch in IPL 2025.

DC death bowling may give them an edge over other teams

Mitchell Starc, Mukesh Kumar and T Natarajan can all land an excellent yorker consistently. Mohit Sharma has been a wicket-taker in recent seasons with his variations.

With these four, DC possess solid defensive bowling options for the backend of the innings. Importantly, Axar has options to turn to in the crunch periods, given all can be of value as batters look to go hard in the final overs.

Other teams in the tournament don’t seem to have that luxury. They are either relying on one death bowler to perform or in the case of Gujarat Titans, for example, possess an attack that looks quite similar in nature.

Spin duo can provide middle overs impact

Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav is an excellent duo in any white-ball format. Axar plays the holding role so well, while Kuldeep is a genuine wicket-taker with his left-arm angle and variations.

Of Kuldeep’s 16 wickets in IPL 2024, 13 came between overs 7-15 at a fine economy of 7.95. Axar Patel took nine wickets in the same period at an even better economy of 7.08.

If these two can produce similar returns this season, it can increase the pressure on opponents to catch up at the death, where DC can hold their own as mentioned above.

Powerplay bowling a concern?

A lot may rest on Mitchell Starc for powerplay impact. However, he can be expensive in this period. He conceded 10.07 per over in the powerplay last season, so DC will be hoping he can take wickets (like his 11 last season) to help offset this.

Mukesh Kumar conceded 10.27 per over in the powerplay, taking four wickets in 11 overs. Mohit Sharma conceded 12.75 per over in the four overs he bowled in this period. T Natarajan fared better (econ. 8.56), but it is clear these three domestic bowlers can be more effective in the middle and backend overs.

So, whether DC can find that wicket-taking threat whilst being as economical as possible in the powerplay is key. Axar Patel may need to step up as a powerplay bowler throughout the tournament, while Mukesh Kumar looks to be the best seam option alongside Starc given his ability to move the new ball.

Conclusion: How far can DC go?

Write DC off at your own peril in IPL 2025. They possess strong depth and balance in their batting, while their death bowling resources can hold them in good stead. I have them qualifying for the playoffs.