IPL 2019, Delhi Capitals (DC) preview, predictions, likely starting XI: Delhi need more than a change in name

Of all the regulars franchises, Delhi are the only one to make it to the final of a single edition of the Indian Premier League. They had made it to the to four in the first two editions, in 2008 and 2009, but since then their only performance of any note came in 2012, when they finished third.

It is not merely about making it to the Playoffs either. They have finished last four times and in the bottom three thrice more, making them the worst-performing franchise in IPL history. No wonder they changed their name from Delhi Daredevils to Delhi Capitals in a desperate attempt to change their fortune.

Here is how Delhi (Daredevils, now Capitals) have featured in the previous seasons:

Season	Position	Teams	M	W	L	NR	%
2008	4	8	15	7	7	1	1.000
2009	3	8	15	10	5	0	2.000
2010	5	8	14	7	7	0	1.000
2011	10	10	14	4	9	1	0.444
2012	3	9	18	11	7	0	1.571
2013	9	9	16	3	13	0	0.231
2014	8	8	14	2	12	0	0.167
2015	7	8	14	5	8	1	0.625
2016	6	8	14	7	7	0	1.000
2017	6	8	14	6	8	0	0.750
2018	8	8	14	5	9	0	0.556
Total			162	67	92	3	0.728

Indeed, history does not speak too highly of them.

All that may change this season, for Delhi made some excellent acquisitions this season. The foremost among them is local hero Shikhar Dhawan, who played a crucial role in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s maiden title triumph in 2016.

Delhi also acquired Hanuma Vihari, an excellent batting all-rounders who has left a mark in international cricket over the past few months; Jalaj Saxena, a giant for Kerala over the past few seasons; and Colin Munro, one of three men with three T20I hundreds.

These new transactions provided Delhi a solid core of Indians. The batting, consisting of Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and Hanuma Vihari – all Indians, all big hitters, looks formidable. One must remember that neither Pant nor Shankar is a specialist, which adds to the advantage.

Players to watch:

Shikhar Dhawan: The sixth-highest run-getter in IPL history, Dhawan helped form SRH’s famous opening stand with David Warner. With over 4,000 runs at a strike rate of 124, Dhawan will provide the experience Delhi’s top order has lacked over the years.

Rishabh Pant: Over the past year, Pant rose from a prodigy in domestic cricket to India’s premier wicketkeeper in Test cricket. With 684 runs at a staggering strike rate of 174, he had finished next to only Kane Williamson last year. His career strike rate of 163 is the fourth-best in IPL history.

Amit Mishra: While an international comeback seems more and more improbable, Mishra continues to remain a force in IPL. Even last season he finished with 12 wickets and went for 7.13 an over. And as things stand now, Mishra is only 8 wickets behind Lasith Malinga’s IPL record tally of 154.

Likely starting XI:

Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Colin Munro, Rishabh Pant (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Hanuma Vihari, Chris Morris, Axar Patel, Trent Boult, Kagiso Rabada, Amit Mishra.

Prediction

Delhi have had a terrible track record in IPL, but this season’s intelligent acquisitions may work in their favour. While they are still expected to finish in the bottom half of the table, their strong Indian contingency may help them cause a few upsets.

Squad: Shreyas Iyer (c), Ankush Bains (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Colin Ingram, Manjot Kalra, Colin Munro, Prithvi Shaw, Hanuma Vihari, Chris Morris, Axar Patel, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Jalaj Saxena, Rahul Tewatia, Bandaru Ayyappa, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Lamichhane, Amit Mishra, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Ishant Sharma, Nathu Singh.