Likely Starting XI of Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024

Delhi Capitals made some intelligent buys in the IPL auction 2024. They were good with their strategy and looked for younger players, as usual. They got many players who might provide them the balance in the 17th edition. The crucial factor for DC would be to get all the players to play under one aim. Rishabh Pant would be crucial for it to happen. It is time to look at their probable playing XI in the IPL 2024.

Top order

DC has a lot of option at the top. they have the luxury of choosing young players to do the job. At the same time, they also have those who can step up and help the side with their experience. One such batter is David Warner, who has already been a legend in the league as a batter and as a captain. Since joining DC, Warner has been able to perform well as a batter without worrying about his spot in the XI.

In 2022, Warner had a great season as a batter. His partner in the season was Prithvi Shaw, who is likely to start in the XI. Shaw will be desperately wanting to have a stellar season as a batter, in order to put himself in the contention for the T20 WC 2024. Shaw will have to bat aggressively like he usually does, but also be consistent as a batter. He has to perform well, like he used to do till 2022.

If Shaw can step up, their opening can be lethal. But they also have a dangerous batter like Mitchell Marsh at number 3. He can provide some overs with the ball as well. With the bat Marsh has not shined in the IPL yet. DC want him to be at his best with the willow, like he was for Australia in the year 2023. If all the three of them get going, DC would be a lethal batting lineup at the top.

Middle order

After the aggressive batters at the top, there is more aggression to follow in DC, as they have Rishabh Pant at 4. His form is a concern, as it will be more than 14 months since he would have batted. Even in wicket keeping, his flow would be doubtful, given his fitness. He can definitely and will most likely lead DC in the 17th edition of the league. With the experience of having played in the league, Pant will be handy as a batter.

At number 5, DC is likely to play Harry Brook. The star batter from England did not have a great debut in the league in 2023. The price tag was not justified by Brook and his value came down. In DC, he can play a bit more freely due to not so high pressure and focus on him. If he can click in the first few games, Brook can be a valuable asset for DC. In finishing, DC has various options.

But they are likely to go with Abhishek Porel and Axar Patel, who did well in the previous season for DC. Porel is young and is only getting better from here. Axar was superb as a batter in 2023. DC would hope to see him bat like he usually does. If the duo can fire, DC would be one of the contenders to win the title. They have other options like Tristan Stubbs and Kumar Kushagra as well.

Lower order

With the ball, DC have a lot of world class bowling options. They have Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi from SA. Among the Indian pacers, they have the likes of Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed, and Mukesh Kumar. Among them, DC is likely to go with Ishant at the top. In the PP overs, Ishant can be handy with his seam and swing bowling. He proved himself as a death bowler as well in the IPL 2023.

In case Ishant does not come good, DC can replace him with Khaleel Ahmed. To accompany Ishant would be Nortje. The fitness of the express pacer is a genuine concern. But he can be trusted to be fit by March. The key for DC would be to back him to deliver the goods. In the last couple of seasons, Anrich Nortje has not been able to give his best. 2024 would be a good chance for him to return to form.

In the death overs, DC has a trustable bowler like Mukesh Kumar. The Indian pacer has raised through the ranks in cricket for now and has become an All-format player for India. DC is likely to use Lalit Yadav as an impact player in case they need some extra runs. In the middle overs phase, DC trust on the spin duo of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav to do the job for them.

Here’s the probable playing XI of DC in IPL 2024 –

David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (C & WK), Harry Brook, Abhishek Porel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Anrich Nortje, Ishant Sharma

Impact player: Lalit Yadav