IPL 2025, DC: Squad analysis, schedule, Probable XI, and more
What's the story
Delhi Capitals (DC) are all set for the 18th Indian Premier League (IPL) season with an eye on their maiden title.
The Capitals, who have not reached the playoffs since 2021, will embark on their journey under the leadership of Axar Patel. The all-rounder was assigned the role with Rishabh Pant's exit from the roster.
With a solid line-up, DC would hope to make the top four.
Leadership
DC's strengths and weaknesses
DC appear to be a pretty balanced side, covering pretty much every base. They have top-order batters like Jake Fraser-McGurk, Faf du Plessis, and KL Rahul, as well as bowlers like Mitcell Starc and T Natarajan.
Finishing could be a grey area for them, though Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, and Sameer Rizvi feature as pinch-hitters.
DC have only two specialist spinners in the form of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar. They are also devoid of seam-bowling all-rounders.
Squad
Squad for IPL 2025
DC squad for IPL 2025: Axar Patel (captain), Faf du Plessis (vice-captain), Karun Nair, Sameer Rizvi, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Ashutosh Sharma, KL Rahul, Abishek Porel, Donovan Ferreira, Tristan Stubbs, Madhav Tiwari, Tripurana Vijay, Manvanth Kumar, Vipraj Nigam, Ajay Mandal, Darshan Nalkande, Mukesh Kumar, Mohit Sharma, T Natarajan, Mitchell Starc, Dushmantha Chameera, and Kuldeep Yadav.
Probable XI
What can be their Probable XI?
Du Plessis, who was bought by DC for ₹2 crore, is likely to feature in their Playing XI, more so as he is the vice-captain.
Probable XI for the first match: Jake Fraser-McGurk, KL Rahul, Faf du Plessis, Abishek Porel (wicket-keeper), Axar Patel (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, and T Natarajan.
Season opener
DC's journey begins on March 24
The IPL 2025 season will start on March 22, with Kolkata Knight Riders taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals will begin their campaign two days later, on March 24, against the Lucknow Super Giants in Vizag.
Their first home game is on April 13, against Mumbai Indians, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Twitter Post
A look at full schedule
Ready to #RoarMacha, starting 24 March 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/DOvkbCUx1p
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) February 16, 2025
IPL 2024
How DC fared in IPL 2024
Delhi Capitals had a topsy-turvy IPL 2024 campaign.
Pant, who returned from a long-term injury, saw his side finish the season with seven wins as many defeats.
DC's NRR was -0.377 as they finished sixth in the standings and missed the playoffs berth.
Jake Fraser-McGurk set the 2024 IPL on fire with his destructive batting at the top. He scored 330 runs at 36.66 from nine matches. Fraser-McGurk struck at a jaw-dropping rate of 234.04.