In this article, we offer you our SWOT analysis of the Delhi Capitals (DC) following the IPL 2025 Mega Auction.
Strength
With many teams overspending on marquee signings and Indian players, the Capitals conducted their business smartly. Delhi have a very strong playing XI, with match-winners up and down the lineup.
The Capitals already boasted an explosive batting lineup with Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abhishek Porel, Harry Brook, Tristan Stubbs, and Ashutosh Sharma. However, they have also brought on board KL Rahul for INR 14 crore and Faf du Plessis for INR 2 crore, and both have to be considered among the best buys of this IPL Mega Auction. Add to that the likes of Axar Patel and Mitchell Starc lower down the order, and we find the DC boasting players that can hit big coming in as late as #9, with the Impact Sub sandwiched somewhere in between.
Moreover, the Capitals have also reinforced their already-strong bowling lineup from last season. The addition of Starc and Thangarasu Natarajan gives them options both up front and at the death, letting their spin duo and the likes of Mukesh Kumar and Mohit Sharma (who’s likely to come in as an Impact Sub) control the middle overs.
It’s an exciting team on paper, with able backups to most key personnel.
Weakness
Irrespective of their strong playing XII, the Capitals have missed a trick by not going after an established fast-bowling all-rounder. The current make-up of their team leaves them with just five genuine bowlers, with the addition of the Impact Sub making it six.
Moreover, another cause for concern will be the lack of backup for their overseas middle-order batters. If the Capitals opt to start the season with Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Abhishek Porel slots in at three, Faf du Plessis will likely play second fiddle to the young Australian, but this leaves no overseas backup for the likes of Tristan Stubbs and Harry Brook.
Also read: Indian Premier League title sponsors over the years
Opportunity
The 22-year-old Abhishek Porel had a breakthrough season with the Capitals last season. After a couple of Impact Sub appearances during the first half of the season, the DC management entrusted the West Bengal wicketkeeper at the #3 slot, and the young left-hander flourished beyond expectations. In his ten appearances at the #3 slot, Porel managed to get past the 30-run mark five times, including two commanding fifties against the Rajasthan Royals and the Lucknow Super Giants.
The likes of KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis joining the team will result in Porel getting the licence to free his arms and play his natural game a bit more.
Another young talent who’ll get his chance to flourish in this DC setup is Uttar Pradesh’s Sameer Rizvi. After making a name for himself in the UP T20 League, Rizvi was roped in for a mammoth INR 8.4 crore, though he couldn’t break into the star-studded Chennai Super Kings lineup.
This season again the Meerut-based cricketer had a standout campaign in the UP T20 League, scoring 468 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 152. Given his power-hitting pedigree, the DC management will be banking on this 21-year-old as their go-to Impact Sub this season.
Threat
Despite their long and explosive batting lineup, the Capitals will be wary of the fact that there are still a couple of pieces in the puzzle they hope will fall into place but remain unsure.
For instance, KL Rahul, who suffered backlash from the media and the Lucknow Super Giants’ ownership for his defensive approach to games as well as his own performances, will be coming into the tournament this year with a lot to prove. Given the explosive DC batting lineup, Rahul may have the luxury to be the anchor, though regularly batting at a strike rate of 120–130 will not cut it.
Moreover, his new partner in crime, Jake Fraser-McGurk, has had a torrid time since the last IPL season. The 22-year-old Australian, following his 330 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 234 last season, has scored 230 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of just 130. If Fraser-McGurk fails to reignite his form from last season, it could prove costly for the DC, who have spent INR 9 crore on the explosive batter.
Probable XII: KL Rahul, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abhishek Porel, Harry Brook, Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Axar Patel, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Thangarasu Natarajan, Sameer Rizvi (Impact Sub)
Prediction: 6th
Leave a Reply