Delhi Capitals predicted XI for IPL 2021

Middle Order: Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shimron Hetmyer

Shreyas Iyer led DC from the front in IPL 2020

The No. 3 and No. 4 spots in the DC playing XI will be occupied by captain Shreyas Iyer and wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant. The duo are the cornerstones of the batting lineup, and the latter in particular will want to improve upon the poor campaign he had last year.

Shimron Hetmyer should edge Steve Smith for the batting overseas slot by virtue of his ability to single-handedly take the game away from the opposition. The West Indian was inconsistent in IPL 2020, and an injury to Pant - which forced DC to play Alex Carey - didn't help matters.

Hetmyer will want to justify his big price tag and pile on the runs whenever he gets an opportunity to spend time in the middle.

---

All-rounders: Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel

Marcus Stoinis was arguably DC's most valuable player in IPL 2020

Marcus Stoinis was one of the few all-rounders who made a mark in both departments in IPL 2020, and he'll want to replicate his performances this year. The Aussie imparted great momentum to the DC innings at the death, and won more than a couple of games single-handedly. Chris Woakes and Tom Curran will serve as backups for Stoinis.

The ever-consistent Axar Patel will be the other all-rounder in the DC playing XI. The southpaw is one of the team's key players, and his economical bowling will perfectly complement the other spinners in the side.

---

Bowlers: Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Amit Mishra

Ravichandran Ashwin has been economical in the IPL

Ravichandran Ashwin has been a consistent performer in the IPL, and his value to DC cannot be overstated. He will be followed by DC's pace stars from last year - Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje.

The final spot in the DC playing XI will depend on the venue. On turning tracks, Amit Mishra will get the nod, while Umesh Yadav or Ishant Sharma should make the team on pitches expected to assist seam. The experienced leg-spinner is named here because DC's home ground, the Feroz Shah Kotla, is a slow bowler's paradise.

---

DC's predicted playing XI for IPL 2021: Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Amit Mishra