Delhi Capitals Look Forward To Win Maiden IPL Trophy In 2020
Sep 12, 2020 at 3:56 PM
Delhi Capitals (DC) are one of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises that have not been able to translate promises and bright starts into title-winning performances. Delhi Capitals, in its previous avatar as Delhi Daredevils, had reached the semi-finals in consecutive seasons in 2008 and 2009. Since then they have reached the playoffs only in 2012 and 2019. The franchise changed its name to Delhi Capitals in December 2018, apparently in a bid to reverse its fortunes in IPL.
The Delhi Capitals who are led by Shreyas Iyer made it to its maiden playoffs last season under a new name and logo. They are the only current team to have never appeared in an IPL final and qualified for the IPL playoffs in 2019 for the first time in seven years. They are eager to go ahead and try to clinch their maiden IPL title. The tournament gets underway in the United Arab Emirates on September 19.
Delhi Capitals Pacer Kagiso Rabada Says Team Has Enough Firepower To Win IPL
Their South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada says the team has the firepower to challenge and win the competition this season.
“We had a really good season, so I know that we can challenge and win this competition because we came really close last season. But, also, it is a new tournament so we have to start again and we’ve got a nice group put together, nice team,” he said.
The Delhi-based franchise who has signed some valuable stars looks as formidable a side as one hopes to get in the franchise-based T20 cricket league. However, one question remains whether they can get consistency out of the likes of Rishabh Pant, who of late has been struggling to find form.
Delhi Capitals will begin their campaign against Kings XI Punjab on September 20.
Delhi Capitals Strength And Weakness
Delhi Capitals are strengthened by possessing one of the strongest batting line-ups in IPL last year and this year they have strengthened it further by including Ajinkya Rahane. They already had the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Shimron Hetmyer, and Shreyas Iyer in their line up. Ajinkya Rahane could provide the team with much-needed stability. Also, they have power hitters in all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, wicket-keeper Alex Carey, and Indian opener Prithvi Shaw who can destroy any bowling attack on their given day.
Having acquired spinner Ravichandran Ashwin from Kings XI Punjab in a trade-off, along with the already present Axar Patel, Amit Mishra, and Sandeep Lamichhane, DC have several spin bowling options. Knowing that the grounds in the UAE are traditionally spin-friendly, head coach Ricky Ponting would be looking forward to unleashing his spinners and cast a web around the opposition batsmen.
One of the main weaknesses of the team is to maintain consistency and get the maximum out of players like Rishabh Pant and Prithvi Shaw. Also, their fast bowling doesn’t have enough pace; only Kagiso Rabada is able to bowl consistently above 140 kmph. Anrich Nortje and Keemo Paul will provide support to him. Ishant Sharma will have a lot of responsibility on his shoulders to guide the young bowlers and it would be interesting to see how DC manages their pacers on the slow tracks on offer in the UAE.