IPL 2019: Best playing XI for Delhi Capitals

Fans are hoping that a new name and the inclusion of former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly in the role of an advisor will change the fortunes of the team. Bringing Shikhar Dhawan back to the side is certainly a move in the right direction and provides solidity to the batting line up. The Delhi team is full of young Indian talents who will be looking to impress national selectors with their performances in this IPL.

Let’s have a look at the best playing eleven for Delhi Capitals this season:

Openers: Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw

Shikhar Dhawan in action

Shikhar Dhawan's inconsistency has been a cause of concern for the Indian team management ahead of the World Cup. However, Dhawan has been an impact player for Sunrisers Hyderabad over the years and will be looking to set his home ground on fire. Dhawan has scored 3285 runs in IPL so far and has scored 50 plus runs on 32 occasions. Stats cannot describe the strength Shikhar adds to this Delhi squad and his consistency will be key for Delhi’s success.

Young Prithvi Shaw has showcased his talent in two test matches he has played. He will be looking to make a strong case for his inclusion in the Indian limited overs squad. He has played only 9 IPL games so far and the Delhi team management will be looking for some consistent performances from him.

Prithvi Shaw will be keen to make his mark

Delhi’s opening combination may be the most exciting one in this year’s IPL. It will be a treat to watch these two extremely talented batsmen play together and take on opposition bowlers.

Middle Order: Colin Munro, Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer

Delhi Capital's young guns

New Zealand opener Colin Munro is the first in history to score 3 international T20 centuries. It will be interesting to see how the team management will utilize him in this batting line up as they lack an impactful overseas middle-order batsman. Having scored more than scored 1400 runs with the strike rate of 162, he has a strong case to be included in the playing eleven.

Rishabh Pant has been looked like a worthy successor of MS Dhoni. His recent performances in the ODI series have raised a few questions over his ability to build the innings in the middle. This IPL will be an opportunity for him to make a case for his inclusion in the Indian World Cup squad as a back-up wicketkeeper. He already has an IPL century to his name and the team management will be looking for some inspired performances from him.

Shreyas Iyer, the young captain of the Delhi Capitals has scored 1218 runs in the IPL so far at a strike rate of 130. He will be looking up to the experience of Sourav Ganguly and Ricky Ponting to take on some of the best teams in this IPL. We will have to wait and watch if Iyer can live up to the expectations of fans and team management. If he succeeds, we could see a future Indian captain in the making.

The middle order may prove to be the weakness of the Delhi Capitals. Lack of experience may prove costly against well oiled IPL teams such as CSK and Mumbai Indians. However, this is the most exciting line up among all franchises and we look forward to seeing better performances from future stars of Indian cricket.

All Rounders: Chris Morris, Jalaj Saxena, and Axar Patel

Jalaj Saxena will be keen make his IPL debut

Chris Morris didn’t have a good IPL campaign in 2018. However, Morris is a proven IPL warrior with an amazing strike rate of 166.7. Morris has the pedigree to hit long sixes in slog overs and finish the match in style. He will be a vital cog in the Capitals' bowling line up and can trouble batsmen with his slower balls. It will be interesting to see if he can repeat his famous performances for Delhi in this year’s edition.

Jalaj Saxena is a longstanding warrior in the Indian domestic circuit and could make his IPL debut this year for the Delhi Capitals. He has an impressive economy rate of 7.04 in domestic T20s and has picked up 41 wickets in 48 matches. He can also add solidarity to the inexperienced Delhi batting line up if he's given an opportunity to play in final eleven.

Axar Patel has been in and out of the Indian national team for some time now and needs a productive IPL season this year to prove his worth. The Gujarat left-arm spinner has picked up 61 wickets in 68 matches so far with an economy rate of 7.53. He is also an effective batsman down the order with a strike rate of 126.6.

Bowlers: Amit Mishra, Trent Boult, and Kagiso Rabada

Amit Mishra in action for Delhi

Arguably one of the best spinners in the country, Amit Mishra has been a standout IPL performer over the years. He has taken 146 wickets so far at a strike rate of 19.6. He has troubled the best of batsmen in the business with his leg breaks and effective googlies. While his chances of earning an India call up are very less due to his age, the veteran spinner will be looking to win as many matches as possible for his franchise.

One of the most exciting fast bowlers in world cricket, Trent Boult has been in amazing form of late and clinched 6 wickets in the recent ODI series against Bangladesh. Delhi Capitals will rely on his ability to provide early breakthroughs against tough oppositions. Boult has often been expensive with the ball with an IPL economy rate of 8.8. However, his pace and sharp swings are crucial for Delhi to reach the playoffs.

Young South African sensation Kagiso Rabada has played only 6 IPL games till now. But his performances for his national team in all formats of the game cements his place in this Delhi Capitals squad. He has claimed 24 wickets in 18 international T20 games he has played so far with an amazing strike rate of 16.6.

Kagiso Rabada

Delhi might be having the best pace bowling attack in this year’s IPL. It will be interesting to see if they go with both Trent Boult and Rabada in their opening games. One of them may sit out to accommodate an extra batsman in the side, which could lead to Ishant Sharma being included in the playing eleven.