IPL 2025: SWOT Analysis of the Delhi Capitals squad

The onset of another mega auction brought significant transformations to nearly all IPL 2025 squads. While some teams retained their core, others overhauled their benches to usher in a new phase in the T20 league. Delhi Capitals made a bold move by releasing their mainstay, Rishabh Pant, into the auction pool. However, despite parting ways with their captain, the DC squad has shaped up to be considerably strong for the upcoming season. A quick look at the Delhi Capitals squad for IPL 2025 suggests they lack nothing as they gear up to chase their maiden title once again. Moreover, the start of the 18th edition of the league will put Axar Patel in the spotlight as he embarks on his first full-fledged stint as captain.

Delhi Capitals squad analysis for IPL 2025

While Delhi Capitals let Rishabh Pant go, they brought in the sturdy presence of KL Rahul. Released by Lucknow Super Giants, the experienced batter was snapped up by DC for ₹14 crore in the mega auction. However, contrary to speculation, DC did not appoint Rahul as their captain, instead placing their trust in long-time squad member Axar Patel. The transformation in Delhi’s setup for IPL 2025 extends beyond the player pool. Following IPL 2024, Ricky Ponting exited the camp and subsequently joined Punjab Kings. In his place, Delhi appointed Hemang Badani as head coach. Assisting Badani in the support staff will be former England great Kevin Pietersen and Australia’s seasoned coaching prospect Matthew Mott.

Strengths

Delhi boasts significant firepower in their batting lineup. Australia's young sensation, Jake Fraser-McGurk, has the potential to wreak havoc in the powerplay if he replicates his explosive IPL 2024 form. The opener smashed three fifties last season and maintained a strike rate above 200. This year, he will be joined at the top by former RCB skipper Faf du Plessis. While his age might suggest otherwise, Du Plessis remains a proven match-winner. During his three-year stint with RCB, he played a pivotal role alongside Virat Kohli in carrying the batting lineup. In 2021, he fell just a few runs short of securing the Orange Cap as his then-team, Chennai Super Kings, clinched the title.

Beyond the openers, Delhi’s middle order is stacked with KL Rahul, Abhishek Porel, Tristan Stubbs, and skipper Axar Patel, who showcased his batting prowess in the recently concluded Champions Trophy. Another area of strength lies in their bowling attack, spearheaded by Mitchell Starc. The pace unit features lethal Indian prospects Mukesh Kumar, T Natarajan, and Mohit Sharma. As for spin, Delhi has the reliable duo of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, who were instrumental in India's Champions Trophy success. They are expected to make it challenging for any opposition to navigate the middle overs.

Weakness

A major concern for Delhi is their leadership setup. Axar Patel has never captained a franchise full-time in the IPL, making him an untested leader at this level. However, the appointment of Faf du Plessis as vice-captain adds a layer of stability. With KL Rahul opting out of any leadership responsibilities, Delhi might find themselves in a tricky spot if Axar takes time to settle into the role. Another lingering weakness is the psychological pressure of chasing their maiden IPL title, now 18 seasons into the tournament.

Opportunity

While the top order looks formidable, Delhi’s success will likely hinge on their middle order. There’s no doubt that DC possesses a strong batting lineup, but an adjustment period may be required for players adapting to new roles. Recent reports suggest that Delhi Capitals are considering pushing KL Rahul into the middle order to fill the void left by Harry Brook. While youngsters like Ashutosh Sharma and Abhishek Porel bring immense potential, their lack of experience remains a concern.

Threat

The unexpected withdrawal of Harry Brook ahead of the season has forced Delhi Capitals to re-evaluate their plans for IPL 2025. His presence brought balance to the squad, which now needs to be restored. The management is actively scouting for a suitable replacement, but with Brook pulling out just days before the tournament, concerns persist over maintaining the team’s equilibrium heading into the season.

Delhi Capitals squad for IPL 2025

KL Rahul, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Karun Nair, Abhishek Porel, Tristian Stubbs, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natrajan, Mitchell Starc, Sameer Rizvi, Ashutosh Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Faf du Plessis, Mukesh Kumar, Darshan Nalkande, Vipraj Nigam, Dushmanta Chameera, Donovan Ferreira, Ajay Mandal, Manvanth Kumar, Tripurana Vijay, Madhav Tiwari.