Delhi Capitals’ evolution as a powerhouse over the last three seasons had depended on T20 specialists in their disciplines going on an all-out attack. With the mega auctions witnessing their core group of players going to other franchises with lucrative deals, the franchise has resorted to more experienced and utility players.
The bowling attack which wore an ominous look in IPL 2020/2021 with Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel and Avesh Khan had been disturbed. Bowlers Shardul Thakur, Mustafizur Rahman, Khaleel Ahmed, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Kuldeep Yadav and Lungi Ngidi will assume leadership roles with their variations to complement Anrich Nortje and Axar Patel.
Delhi Capitals Went For Players Who Had Multiple Utility Skills Ensuring Playing XI First And Then Picking Backups: Saba Karim
David Warner and Mitchell Marsh, the MOS of the 2021 T20I World Cup and MOM of the final, respectively, are expected to make up for the lack of firepower due to the loss of Shikhar Dhawan, Shimron Hetmyer and Marcus Stoinis. But the real challenge will be to stabilize the middle-order which will help leverage their skipper Rishabh Pant to play the high-impact role.
This is where the likes of KS Bharat, Mandeep Singh and Sarfaraz Khan are expected to play their roles.
“One must remember Bharat played at No. 3 for RCB last year and did a very good job. He is expected to play a similar role here if needed. He is not seen just as a backup wicketkeeper to Pant,” Saba Karim, Delhi Capital’s head of talent search, said moments after the auction on Sunday evening.
“We have gone for players who have multiple utility skills. Like most teams, we ensured our playing XI first and then went for backups. So, Bharat, Nagarkoti, Ngidi and Mandeep all form part of the plan,” Karim added.
Delhi Capitals were among the busiest franchises at the event as they went after several big names. After all, they operated with a star-studded squad in the last couple of seasons. Australia’s Mitchell Marsh, who has been in red hot form lately, went to DC for INR 6.5 crore. Meanwhile, the franchise’s most expensive buy at the event was Shardul Thakur. The Capitals had to splash a staggering INR 10.75 crore to acquire the all-rounder’s services.
It must be noted that Delhi Capitals retained the likes of Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, Prithvi Shaw, and Anrich Nortje ahead of the auction and stepped into the bidding event with a purse of INR 47.5 crore. Speaking of fast bowlers, Delhi Capitals bought the likes of Chetan Sakariya, Mustafizur Rahman, Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Khaleel Ahmed to assist Anrich Nortje.
As far as the spin department is concerned, Kuldeep Yadav will join forces with Axar Patel this season with Lalit Yadav and Praveen Dubey being the other options.
Saba Karim: Delhi Capitals To Groom The Future Talents By Acquiring Yash Dhull, Sarfaraz Khan And Vicky Ostwal Besides Lalit Yadav, Ripal Patel And Pravin Dubey
The franchise has worked on a philosophy of grooming talent for years. The investments in Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw and Avesh Khan started bearing fruit in the last couple of seasons. While it has a job to protect its reputation, the management tried hard not to deviate from its core philosophy.
“We have gone for continuity with younger talent like off-spinning allrounder Lalit Yadav, seam-bowling allrounder Ripal Patel and leg-spinner Pravin Dubey. We have also invested in Yash Dhull, Sarfaraz and Vicky Ostwal. It’s very important to look at the future and groom the next line,” the former India selector.
Delhi Capitals have got more variety with the ball to make up for the potency of their former attack. The power-hitting in the lower middle order will be tested. Shardul Thakur has never been such an important cog of a team before. Changing their game plan will be a challenge for them but with coach Ricky Ponting around, one can be rest assured there will be a negligible change in the attacking brand of cricket.
Delhi Capitals squad for IPL 2022: Prithvi Shaw, Anrich Nortje, Rishabh Pant (c), Axar Patel, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Shardul Thakur, Mustafizur Rahman, Kuldeep Yadav, Ashwin Hebbar, Sarfaraz Khan, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, KS Bharat, Mandeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Chetan Sakariya, Lalit Yadav, Ripal Patel, Yash Dhull, Rovman Powell, Pravin Dubey, Lungi Ngidi, Tim Seifert, Vicky Ostwal