IPL: DC's greatest overseas XI of all time

The Delhi Capitals (DC) are yet to lay their hands on the coveted Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy, but they've had some world-class players turn out for them over the years.

With cricketers like Virender Sehwag, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant and Amit Mishra, DC have always had a strong Indian core. And although they've also had a number of world-class overseas players, almost all of their foreign stars were unreleased in unexpected fashion.

The likes of Andre Russell and Yuvraj Singh flopped at DC, while many of the players on this list were traded and have gone on to become IPL legends at their next franchises.

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DC's greatest overseas XI of all time in the IPL

🔈 Kagiso Rabada or Keemo Paul 🔈 Which DC star is giving some sound advice here? 🤔#DCVoices #YehHaiNayiDilli pic.twitter.com/aPEkBg0vAA

— Delhi Capitals (Tweeting from 🇦🇪) (@DelhiCapitals) August 13, 2020

Ignoring the IPL rule that says no more than 4 overseas players can make up a playing XI, we attempt to create the greatest DC overseas team of all time.

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Openers: David Warner, Quinton de Kock (wk)

SRH captain David Warner was let go of by DC after the 2013 IPL

Despite the fact that David Warner left DC after the 2013 edition of the IPL, which was over 7 years ago, he is still the team's fourth-highest run-getter in all T20 competitions. In the IPL, the Australian amassed 1,435 runs in 55 games at an average of 28.7 for DC. He has since gone on to become the tournament's leading run-scorer among overseas players, and will lead the Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2020.

Warner forms a formidable opening partnership with South African opener Quinton de Kock, who scored 720 runs in 23 games for DC at an average of 32.73. The current Mumbai Indians wicket-keeper narrowly pips Sri Lankan legend Tillakaratne Dilshan to a spot in this XI.

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Middle Order: AB de Villiers, Mahela Jayawardene (c), Kevin Pietersen, JP Duminy

DC will always regret their decision to let IPL legend AB de Villiers go

Perhaps their biggest mistake in IPL history, DC let South African legend AB de Villiers slip away from their grasp. Mr. 360 scored 671 runs in 28 games at an average a shade over 30 and while these numbers aren't as attractive as his RCB stats, he is still one of the greatest overseas players to have played for DC. De Villiers has become a fan favourite at RCB and is set to end his storied career at the franchise.

Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene has one of the worst win percentages in IPL history, but he is the skipper of this side since he led DC in the most games. In 31 matches for the side, the classy right-hander scored 666 runs at an average of 24.67. He adds solidity to this XI's middle order and can play the anchor role as the other batsmen bat around him.

Kevin Pietersen comes in at No. 5 in this XI. With 599 runs in just 19 games for DC, the former England captain is one of the least-capped players for DC in this side. His runs came at an average of 39.93 and a strike rate of 136.14, and didn't experience much IPL success after leaving the side after the 2014 edition.

JP Duminy is another DC player who has largely flown under the radar despite his consistent IPL performances. The South African all-rounder tallied 1,015 runs in 38 games at an average of 44.13, and picked up another 13 wickets. His handy bowling and finishing ability lower down the order make him one of the most important players in this all-time DC XI.

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Fast-bowling all-rounders: Chris Morris, Farveez Maharoof

Chris Morris has joined his countryman De Villiers at RCB for IPL 2020

Chris Morris has joined his countryman AB de Villiers at the Royal Challengers Bangalore for the 2020 IPL but before his switch, he was a staple of the DC side for many years. In 34 games, the South African scored 427 runs at an average of 28.47 - very good numbers for a lower-order batsman. He also picked up 41 wickets, bowling the majority of his overs at the death.

One of the most underrated players in DC history, Farveez Maharoof scored 177 runs and picked up 27 wickets in his two seasons at the franchise. The Sri Lankan's IPL campaigns at DC were highly successful, illustrated by the fact that they made the playoffs in both seasons.

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Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir

Kagiso Rabada is the only player in this XI who will play for DC in IPL 2020

The only player in this all-time who still plays for DC, Kagiso Rabada has lead the team's pace attack in the last few IPL seasons. The South African pacer has picked up 31 wickets in only 18 games for DC, and will be crucial to their fortunes in IPL 2020 as well.

Rabada's predecessor in the South African pace attack, Morne Morkel was a handful in the IPL when he played for both DC and the Kolkata Knight Riders. The tall quick scalped 45 wickets in the 37 games that he played for the franchise, at an excellent bowling average of 24.73.

The fourth Proteas bowler in this team, Imran Tahir is the sole full-time spinner. The leggie truly broke onto the IPL scene with his performances for DC, for whom he picked up 29 wickets in 20 games at an average of 21.48. Tahir will be CSK's main wicket-taking threat in IPL 2020 on the spin-friendly tracks of the UAE.

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