IPL 2020: SWOT Analysis of Delhi Capitals

The Delhi Capitals (DC) come into the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) as firm favourites, and this is not a situation that they've found themselves in often.

The franchise has never reached the final of the IPL before, due to poor retention decisions and mistakes in the auction. DC have also not had an inspirational leader, such as MS Dhoni for the Chennai Super Kings and Rohit Sharma for the Mumbai Indians, over the years.

But under young captain Shreyas Iyer, that's all set to change. On paper, DC have a stacked roster that is certainly capable of finishing in the top two and making a run for the IPL 2020 final.

In this article, we carefully analyse the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the DC squad ahead of IPL 2020.

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DC in IPL 2020: Strengths

Shikhar Dhawan is an IPL batting great

#1 DC have arguably the best Indian batting contingent among IPL 2020 teams

In Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant, DC have arguably the best Indian batting contingent among all 8 IPL 2020 teams. This would not only keep the core of their team solid but it would also give them great freedom with regards to their overseas players.

All the great IPL-winning teams have had strong Indian batting cores, and DC have taken a massive step towards their first title before the tournament has even begun.

#2 DC have one of the most well-rounded spin attacks among IPL 2020 teams

With an off-spinner in Ravichandran Ashwin, a left-arm spinner in Axar Patel and leg-spinners in Amit Mishra and Sandeep Lamichhane, DC have one of the most well-rounded spin attacks in IPL 2020.

The wrist-spinners are out-and-out wicket-takers, while Axar is a restrictive bowler. Ashwin is a versatile, experienced professional who brings a lot of leadership to the team, and DC's spin attack could make merry in the UAE.

#3 DC have the perfect blend of youth and experience

With the acquisitions of Ashwin and Rahane, DC have ensured that Shreyas Iyer has ample expertise and veteran leadership to call upon. The young core of Shaw, Iyer and Pant will have mentors and guiding forces around them, and the old guard will also be rejuvenated by the energy around them.

DC have struck the perfect balance between youth and experience, which is something that very few teams have managed to do in the history of the IPL.

Click here to s the latest IPL prediction.

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DC in IPL 2020: Weaknesses

DC's pace attack is heavily reliant on Kagiso Rabada

#1 DC's Indian pace attack is far from solid

Ishant Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan and Tushar Deshpande are the Indian pace options at DC's disposal in IPL 2020, and this contingent doesn't exactly inspire a ton of confidence.

Ishant revived his IPL career last season with some excellent performances with the new ball, but whether he can replicate the same this year remains to be seen. Mohit's slower balls and variations have become far too predictable nowadays, and he is a shadow of the bowler who played the 2015 World Cup for India.

Harshal Patel has played only 13 games over the last 5 IPL seasons and has a career economy rate of 8.72, while Avesh Khan has played 8 games without much success.

DC's Indian pace attack certainly leaves a lot to be desired.

#2 DC don't have world-class all-rounders

Another criticism that can be levelled at DC's roster for IPL 2020 is the lack of world-class all-rounders of the mould of Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja.

Axar Patel, Marcus Stoinis and Keemo Paul are all handy cricketers who can chip in with both bat and ball, while Ashwin and Daniel Sams aren't too bad with the bat in hand. However, none of these players can be relied upon to score a decent amount of runs and also bowl their 4 overs.

All the other favourites for IPL 2020 have a number of world-class all-rounders at their disposal, but DC don't, and this might cost them in the tournament. They might not be able to strike the right balance with their playing XI despite having a host of quality players, and this might be the fine margin between a title-winning season and one in which they fail to meet expectations.

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DC in IPL 2020: Opportunities

Rishabh Pant needs to have a good IPL

#1 All of DC's Indian players have a point to prove

Shikhar Dhawan's place in the limited-overs setups is under threat from a variety of players, and he is almost completely out of the reckoning for a Test spot. The southpaw will be keen on establishing himself as a regular in the Indian team again with his performances in IPL 2020.

Shreyas Iyer has all but sealed the No. 4 spot in the Indian ODI team, but with the T20 World Cup round the corner and the ICC Test Championship in full swing, he will want to do the same in all three formats. The Delhi youngster will also look to establish himself as a candidate to take over the Indian captaincy from Virat Kohli.

Rishabh Pant's spot in the national side has been under major scrutiny, and he will want to prove to the selectors that he is the right man to replace the recently retired MS Dhoni.

Similarly, Ashwin, Shaw, Mishra and Axar all have points to prove with respect to their international careers. This bunch of highly motivated players will have the opportunity to showcase their wares in IPL 2020.

#2 DC can finally establish themselves as an IPL powerhouse

DC are the only team to have played every single IPL season and not reach the final, and they will be intent on breaking this unwanted record this year.

The franchise has faced criticism from all corners over their time in the tournament, and IPL 2020 presents the perfect opportunity for them to establish themselves as a team that has to be taken seriously.

With a solid young core and a smart support staff including former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, DC might finally turn a corner in IPL 2020.

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DC in IPL 2020: Threats

Axar Patel might leave DC short of pace options in IPL 2020

#1 DC might face issues with overseas player selection

While Shimron Hetmyer and Kagiso Rabada are guaranteed to play, DC might face issues while selecting players for the other two overseas slots in this IPL.

Marcus Stoinis was in great form in the Big Bash League earlier this year, but that was when he was opening the innings and he might not be as effective in the middle order. Sandeep Lamichhane might not be favoured ahead of Amit Mishra, while Keemo Paul and Anrich Nortje might be nothing but backup options.

DC have Alex Carey on the bench, and the Aussie wicket-keeper was also a star performer in the BBL as an opener. Daniel Sams is the final overseas option, with the Australian left-armer being signed as a replacement for Jason Roy. There is a distinct lack of clarity surrounding the team's overseas selection, and this is a threat that they will have to nullify at the earliest in this year's IPL.

#2 DC might have to compromise on either new-ball bowling or death-over bowling

DC have the option to play two overseas pacers, and while they might choose to do so, they will have to at the expense of Ishant Sharma. With the team likely to go in with a three-pronged spin attack, the final spot in the XI might be a straight toss-up between Ishant, Nortje and Sams.

While the veteran Indian pacer is a skilled exponent of the new ball, he doesn't really offer much at the death. Sams, on the other hand, is almost entirely opposite to Ishant, with his deceptive slower ball perfectly suited to the latter stages of the innings.

DC might have to compromise on either new-ball bowling or death-over bowling in IPL 2020, and if whichever option they choose, they'll have to bank on their three spinners to make up for their deficiencies.

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