Delhi Capitals bowling attack looking brilliant for IPL 2025

The Indian Premier League (IPL 2025 mega auction) in Jeddah proved to be a grand spectacle, with franchises fiercely competing in bidding wars and shelling out massive sums to craft their ideal squads. Among the standout teams this season, Delhi Capitals (DC) has emerged as a team to watch for, particularly for assembling a bowling lineup that has drawn high praise from veteran commentator Aakash Chopra. Bowling has consistently been the backbone of success in the IPL hsitory, often proving to be the critical factor between championship triumphs and early exits. Franchises have prioritized building balanced and potent bowling attacks, and DC appears to have perfected this strategy in 2025.

With a mix of pace, spin, and death-over specialists, they have constructed a unit that promises to be one of the most formidable of the tournament. Chopra commended DC’s approach to assembling a lineup that blends experienced campaigners and emerging talents, predicting their bowlers could turn the tide in critical matches. This strategic emphasis on bowlers who can excel across different phases of the game—powerplay, middle overs, and the death—sets DC apart as serious contenders this season.

"They have probably assembled the best bowling of this tournament. You will find Gujarat's bowling very good. If you leave aside one spinner, Mumbai has one of the best bowling attacks. So let's settle on the fact that they (DC) have the best death-bowling attack," said former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra. 

Delhi Capitals’ bowling strength for IPL 2025 heavily relies on their formidable death-bowling capabilities. Two key players who stand out in this role are T Natarajan and Mukesh Kumar, both of whom bring unique skills to the table in the final overs. T Natarajan, known for his pinpoint accuracy and ability to deliver under pressure, has established himself as one of the most consistent Indian bowlers in death-over scenarios. His impressive track record makes him a significant asset to the franchise. Cricketer-turned commentator Aakash Chopra has lauded Natarajan’s reliability, emphasizing how his numbers consistently rank among the best for Indian bowlers in the league.

Mukesh Kumar, on the other hand, has quietly evolved into a dependable death-over specialist for Delhi during the last few years. With his ability to mix pace and maintain control during high-pressure moments, Mukesh has become a crucial component of the team’s bowling strategy which was a main reason why the DC management used the Right To Match (RTM) option for him at the IPL 2025 mega auction. Together, the duo forms a potent combination that could play a pivotal role in Delhi Capitals’ quest for IPL success this season.

"No one has better bowlers for over 15 to 20. If you check T Natarajan's numbers and compare them with all other Indian players, you will find that he is very, very good, and last year was also good. Mukesh Kumar's stature has grown a lot. He has done death bowling for this franchise and done very well," Chopra added. 

The addition of Mitchell Starc to the Delhi Capitals' bowling lineup has been the highlight of their IPL 2025 auction strategy. Starc, one of the world’s premier fast bowlers, reportedly joined the team after agreeing to a significant pay cut. At INR 11.75 crore, he is seen as both a financial steal and a monumental upgrade for DC's pace attack. Chopra highlighted how Starc’s inclusion could elevate Delhi’s bowling unit to one of the best in the league. Complementing Starc’s presence is Mohit Sharma, who brings experience and depth to the pace department.

Delhi’s spin attack is equally impressive, anchored by Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, a dynamic duo with the potential to wreak havoc in the middle overs. Both players have proven themselves as game-changers in the IPL, offering variety and control. On the small and often batter-friendly surface of the Arun Jaitley Stadium, their ability to restrict runs and pick wickets could be pivotal to Delhi’s success.

"Delhi has the best spin bowling of this tournament, and interestingly enough, they didn't need the auction for that because they have Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. No team has eight overs of this kind of spin, and that is why both of them were retained. They were given a lot of money and asked to stay. On the small ground and flat pitch in Delhi, Arun Jaitley Stadium, a lot of sixes are hit. You get exposed if you don't have quality there. Quality is the only thing that separates you from the others, and the two spinners here are of absolute gold-dust quality," Chopra concluded.