IPL 2019 Squad Analysis: Delhi Capitals

Domestic Talents and USP

With a pool of exciting young Indians, DC have surely made great long-term investments

What Delhi has looked to do this year, and has succeeded in doing too, is to acquire top class, domestic players. Most sides have above average domestic players and outstanding International players. Delhi has gone for just the opposite! They have bought just above average foreigners but top-notch Indian players and this, for sure, could prove to be a masterstroke.

When one looks at the pool of Indian players DC has, one is left in awe. The seeds Delhi has sown this year are certain to sprout into brilliant new trees and also bear sweet fruits in the near future.

The Intelligent Purchases

While Delhi did purchase the new Indian Test regular, Hanuma Vihari, they are not likely to give him a go in their starting XI. He has probably been acquired as an emergency replacement of an Indian batsman in the top order, be it Shaw, Iyer or Dhawan.

What did draw a lot of attention was the purchase of Axar Patel, one of India's most sought after all-rounders. Patel had been the X-factor of KXIP for all these years, and they expressed their fondness towards him last year when they let go of all their team and only retained Patel.

It was a clear indication that they were looking to build a team around their highly treasured Axar Patel. However, KXIP did let him go this year and he fetched a hefty ₹5 crore. It would be interesting to see how he does in his new franchise that would be run by Indian-ness!

Delhi Capitals will be Axar Patel's second IPL franchise

Delhi did want an experienced Indian fast bowler after letting go of Mohammad Shami, and they soon acquired the highly experienced Ishant Sharma for an economical ₹1.1 crore.

Considering that his performances have been pretty much the same as Mohammad Shami's, as far as T20 bowling is concerned, and their roles for the sides they play also remain the same, Delhi seem to have made a deal. They have saved a valuable ₹2 crore as Shami was being paid ₹3 crores.

One very interesting and eye-catchy buy Delhi has made this year is the Protean batsman Colin Ingram. Ingram has scored runs at mammoth strike rates wherever and for whichever franchise he has played. Ingram will be very handy for them in the middle order.

The Delhi Capitals would be having high hopes from Ishant Sharma and Colin Ingram

The probable Playing XI

Looking at the way they have performed this IPL Auction, let us have a look at who all might be part of their starting playing XI.

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#1 Prithvi Shaw

The U19 WC winning captain impressed one and all with his performances for the DD last year

Just as last season, Prithvi Shaw would be opening the innings for the Delhi Capitals and they would be having slightly higher hopes from him than last year.

Prithvi, now being an India regular in the Test format, will need to bat more responsibly and look to provide solid starts to the side.

#2 Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan will be Delhi's best batting hope in the 2019 IPL season

The kind of form and ability Shikhar Dhawan has shown with the bat in T20s over the past few months has been fantastic. He has scored massively and at monstrous strike rates. Dhawan's experience and class will ease off the pressure from Shaw's shoulders, and their partnership could be lethal for any opposition.

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