IPL 2020 Team Preview: Shreyas Iyer-Led Delhi Capitals Aim For Maiden Title
With Australian legend Ricky Ponting helping plan things to perfection along with a stellar squad led by Shreyas Iyer, Delhi have every right to hope they can repeat and better the performances of 2019.
Strengthened by the inclusion of star players R Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane, Delhi Capitals (DC) will be eyeing their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy. Among the eight original franchises, DC remain the only team not to play an IPL final. Also Read - IPL 2020: Adam Zampa on Playing Alongside RCB's Virat Kohli, AB De Villiers, Says 'Watching Them Bat is Exciting'
Captain: Shreyas Iyer Also Read - IPL 2020: Don’t Consider Myself a ‘Lucky Charm’ For MS Dhoni in CSK Squad, Feels Piyush Chawla
The 25-year-old has been at the helm of the Delhi Capitals since 2018, when he took over halfway into the tournament, replacing Gautam Gambhir. Iyer’s elevation to the leadership role has coincided with a sharp turnaround in fortunes, for both him and DC. He’s now a regular in India’s ODI and T20I sides courtesy a brilliant IPL 2019 in which he scored 463 runs in 16 innings with three fifties. Also Read - IPL Team Preview: Kolkata Knight Riders Look Balanced, Have to Arrest Inconsistency
Coach: Ricky Ponting
The Australian, who had coached Mumbai Indians to their second title in 2015, replaced Paddy Upton whose contract as DC’s head coach wasn’t renewed. Ponting’s appointment turned out to be a fine one as DC won their first-ever playoff game when they defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad last year.
Delhi Capitals Squad –
Shreyas Iyer, Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Lamichhane, Kagiso Rabada, Keemo Paul, Mohit Sharma, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, R Ashwin, Marcus Stoinis, Anrich Nortje, Daniel Sams, Rishabh Pant, Alex Carey, Shimron Hetmyer, Tushar Deshpande
IPL Past Record
2008 – Fourth
2009 – Third
2010 – Fifth
2011 – 10th
2012 – Playoffs (Third)
2013 – Ninth
2014 – Eighth
2015 – Seventh
2016 – Sixth
2017 – Sixth
2018 – Eighth
2019 – Playoffs (Third)
IPL 2019 Performance
The combination of Iyer, with Ponting as head coach, and Sourav Ganguly as mentor, served DC well. They just had just two victories in their first five matches. By the end of the league phase, they bagged 18 points and became the second team to qualify for playoffs. DC, who were at the bottom of the table in IPL 2018, finished third after losing to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Qualifier 2.
New Additions
Recently, DC signed fast bowlers Anrich Nortje and Daniel Sams as replacements for Chris Woakes and Jason Roy respectively. Alex Carey, Marcus Stoinis and Shimron Hetmyer seem good long-term buys.
Key Players
Rishabh Pant – He had a superb IPL 2019, smashing 488 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 162.66. The upcoming event will be an opportunity for Pant to further showcase his talent and cement his spot in India’s first-choice XI in T20 Internationals.
Kagiso Rabada – He was the second-highest wicket-taker – 25 scalps at an economy rate of 7.82 – last season. Rabada will once again be Iyer’s go-to man because of his raw pace, accuracy and ability to strike at crucial intervals. The 25-year-old South African’s fitness, however, remains a concern. He missed a few IPL games in 2019 with a back niggle.
IPL 2020 Prediction
From bagging a wooden spoon in 2018 to performing outstandingly well the following season, DC are on track to forming a formidable outfit. Another top-3 finish is surely on the cards.
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