IPL 2019: Three success mantras for Delhi Capitals this season

After a long wait of 6 years, Delhi Capitals have finally managed to qualify for playoffs.

More than an achievement, it comes as a big relief to the entire team management. After all, with their poor show year after year, understandably, they were under pressure to deliver results this season.

Last time, they qualified was way back in 2012 under the leadership of the Indian legend, Virender Sehwag. Not only there were not qualifying for playoffs for so many years but were also disappointed by the never-ending series of dismal performances that had them ending their season at the very bottom of the IPL points table every year. Needless to say, it was a heartbreaking experience not only for the owners and players, but equally for the people of Delhi.

Consequently, they were tagged as the ‘underdogs’ and just like every year, nothing meaningful was really expected out of Delhi Capitals this 2019 season

In a serious effort to change thing around and leave the baggage behind, the owners (JSW Group and GMR Group) changed the team’s name from Delhi Daredevils to Delhi Capitals to have a completely fresh start to their new IPL journey.

However, despite their poor show last season, the team management kept faith in their squad and retained as many as 14 players and strategically traded back their former player, the flamboyant Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan to strengthen their top order. In addition, they roped in arguably India’s most successful captain Sourav Ganguly to join the squad as an official advisor.

And today, unexpectedly to many, they went on to become the second team to qualify for the playoffs.

As their slogan says “This Is New Delhi”, without a doubt, Delhi Capitals is certainly playing like a brand new team with immense confidence. Let’s closely review the three success mantras for Delhi Capitals this season:

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#1 A very strong top four

Shreyas Iyer and Shikhar Dhawan (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com)

As they say, the performance of the top order is extremely vital for any team’s success and this season, Delhi Capitals are blessed not only to have quality openers, the young 19-year-old Prithvi Shaw and experienced Shikhar Dhawan but also, followed by very talented, the captain, Shreyas Iyer at No. 3 and new revelation to Indian circuit, Rishabh Pant at No.4.

Almost every time, they ensured the team had a decent start to the innings and on most occasions, one of them carried all the way through to end the inning on a good note. Just among themselves, up until now, they have scored approximately 75% of the team runs (1457 runs out of total Delhi Capitals 1987 runs with 11 half centuries) – absolutely remarkable!

As a top order batsman, they had a task cut out and they have undoubtedly fulfilled the responsibility equally amongst themselves. Without a doubt, they have been the biggest strength of the Delhi Capitals this season and should they continue to form in the coming days, we just may end up seeing a new IPL winner this year.

#2 Kagiso Rabada’s quality bowling

Kagiso Rabada (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com)

Over the years, Delhi Capitals have had some serious quality pace bowler in form of Glenn McGrath, Morne Morkel, Irfan Pathan, Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan to name a few. However, no one could make an impact as much as the South African young fast bowler, Kagiso Rabada managed this season.

The 23-year-old player has been with Delhi Capitals since 2017 however in the very first season, he could not deliver and perform way under expectations (6 wickets, 6 games). The next season, IPL 2018, the pacer could not participate with an unfortunate lower back stress fracture. However, this season, he seems to have come of age and have performed game after game.

Not only the speed but his accuracy has been the talking point and have provided the Delhi Capitals with much-needed impact bowler at the very beginning and at the end of the inning. With his superlative aggressive bowling, the pacer proudly owns the Purple Cap with 25 wickets, clinching them at the crucial moments in the game.

Without a doubt, he has played a major role in the success of Delhi Capitals this season and the team management will only hope for Rabada to continue his form moving forward to lift their very first IPL title.

#3 The fusion of Ricky Pointing and Sourav Ganguly

Ricky Pointing and Sourav Ganguly

Last season, the two-time ICC World Cup winning captain, Ricky Ponting was appointed to take over the responsibility of the head coach of Delhi Capitals after the Indian batting legend, Rahul Dravid chose to quit owing to BCCI conflict of interest regulation being the head coach of India A and India Under-19 team.

Though the former Australian skipper Ponting has a successful proven coaching record in his two years stint with Mumbai Indians (winning IPL trophy 2015), the Delhi Capitals owners chose to bring in another legend this year, Sourav Ganguly.

And when two passionate world champions come together, the result is inevitable.

Without a doubt, Delhi Capitals have an excellent bunch of players this season but that has always been the case every IPL edition. In the yesteryears, the issue has been transforming their potential into performance together as a team and it appears that the legendary duo has spread their knowledge, wisdom, and experience across the board resulting in success for the franchise.

At one point of time, Ponting and Ganguly were fierce erstwhile rivals while playing international cricket however they have fused in perfectly together to bring the best out of the players. Without any stretch of the imagination, it is very safe to state that their presence around the squad has been a massive difference this year for the Capitals.