Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020 is quite the team to beat in the upcoming Indian Premier League 13th Season. The side of India’s national capital had a fantastic IPL Auction 2020. Prior to that, they also made some superb additions in the IPL trade window. When you look at the DC squad, it has everything you need in a T20 side. The balance across departments is quite remarkable.
At the auctions, the headline buys for Delhi Capitals for IPL 2020 was that of West Indian batsman Shimron Hetmyer. The southpaw, who recently smashed a ton against India in the ODI series, was snapped up for a staggering sum of Rs 7.75 crore. He is set to be the pivotal factor in the ranks in that quality middle order.
The side also managed to land two England internationals in the form of Jason Roy and Chris Woakes. Notably, both these match-winners were bought for their base prices of Rs 1.5 crore respectively. Roy adds another dimension to this batting upfront. Whereas, Woakes can be seen as a replacement for Teen Boult. He is pretty crucial both with the new ball and at the death.
Another all-rounder in Marcus Stoinis was roped in to add more depth in the ranks and Alex Carey also came in as the wicket-keeper batsman with real potential. DC already has a strong set of Indian players and the addition of quality foreign recruits gives them that extra bit of energy and threat. Tushar Deshpande, Mohit Sharma, and Lalit Yadav came in to fill in the squad.
Players bought by DC in the IPL Auction 2020 – Jason Roy (Rs 1.50 crore), Chris Woakes (Rs 1.50 crore), Marcus Stoinis (Rs 4 crore), Alex Carey (Rs 2.4 crore), Shimron Hetmyer (Rs 7.75 crore), Tushar Deshpande (Rs 20 lakh), Mohit Sharma (Rs 50 lakh), Lalit Yadav (Rs 20 lakh).
A look at the full squad of DC for IPL 2020 – Shreyas Iyer, Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Jason Roy, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Lamichhane, Kagiso Rabada, Keemo Paul, Mohit Sharma, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, R Ashwin, Marcus Stoinis, Chris Woakes, Rishabh Pant, Alex Carey, Shimron Hetmyer, Tushar Deshpande.
Delhi Capitals have one of the best batting units in IPL 2020
Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020 have a sound batting department and the character is present to thwart any opposition on a given day. It has the right blend of youth and experience. Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw are the ideal candidates to open the innings. Shaw, in particular, has the edge to give DC a solid start at the top with his aggressive nature on offer. Dhawan can be the anchorman.
Ajinkya Rahane who earlier played for Rajasthan Royals in IPL adds more dynamism in that number three position. Captain Shreyas Iyer has been in tremendous form in ODI cricket of late and he will hope to convert the same into T20 cricket. He has been a handful for Delhi Capitals in recent times. With Hetmyer in there, the real threat of an all-round attack looms over teams. Rishabh Pant is there as well. He can be used as a floater as per the situation of the game. The top six is almost set for DC and that is a real quality batting force.
If someone gets injured or has a difficult time upfront, Roy is the perfect individual to step in and take charge. In Carey, they have that added cushion as well. Woakes can be the perfect number seven. Stoinis is his able replacement. It will be hard to stop this batting force that has all the credentials to fire.
DC is spoilt for options with the bat and that’s a luxury in terms of setting their style in the global T20 tourney.
The bowling can support the batting in this Delhi Capitals side
Kagiso Rabada is their main bet with the ball and he showed last season how he can exploit the conditions and be supreme at the death. He will shoulder the responsibility for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020 for the pace department. The experienced Ishant Sharma made an impressive return to IPL the last term and he can be that able support role to Rabada.
In Woakes, you have a genuine pacer who can bowl quick and give you that lift needed. He is highly experienced as well. These three pacers will be Delhi’s main options going forward in the tournament. Keemo Paul has also shown the capabilities of being a pivotal asset. The West Indian can also make his presence felt with his variations in pace. He is an intelligent bowler.
Stoinis is there as well and can come in and be decisive during the middle overs when handed an opportunity. The experienced Mohit Sharma is a decent pick on the bench. You also have Harshal Patel in the mix and he can provide that extra bit.
Now coming to spin department, R Ashwin was a smart trade-in by Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020. He will lead the spin attack this season. The former KXIP captain brings loads of experience and into the side. Amit Mishra has been in the set-up for long and we all know his qualities. He can be rotated when the need arises. Axar Patel brings the option of a left-arm spinner, who doesn’t give away much.
Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichanne has grown rapidly of late. The celebrated T20 freelancer makes this spin department look tidy and classy at the same time.
What are the weaknesses?
There is no weakness in batting. However, in the bowling section, if Rabada suffers an injury, then a lot of steam is taken out from the side. Woakes will need to be that man to carry the side. The composition may change and Paul can also feature. However, both aren’t that decisive as Rabada, who is a genuine wicket-taker and clocks a rapid pace on a consistent basis.
Meanwhile, apart from Ishant, the Indian pace-bowling options look a bit low in terms of quality.
Delhi Capitals will give teams a run for their money in IPL 2020: Our verdict
When you look at the overall composition, DC can pick and choose at will. Three of their foreign recruits in Rabada, Hetmyer, and Woakes are regular starters that come to the mind. Paul and Lamichhane can battle for the fourth spot as per conditions on offer. It is the batting that makes Delhi Capitals a real threat in IPL 2020.
The batsmen in the ranks are most versatile in nature. Also, with such firepower, one can expect regular big scores on offer. DC has that much in bowling to then stop teams from getting past the line. If the batting clicks on a consistent basis, the work will be made simpler. Hetmyer, who had a poor IPL 2019 campaign, will be eager to make things count.
Then if Dhawan struggles to get that consistency, DC cam quickly changes the composition and see the aggressive Roy come in. He is a superb limited-overs campaigner and has been solid for England of late. With Pant and Iyer, you have genuine hitters who can take the game away in a flash. Moreover, Iyer can get help from someone like an Ashwin or Rahane, who have led IPL teams.
Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020 is definitely the side that can challenge the consistent Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.