DC 2023 Playing 11: Strongest Delhi Capitals Playing XI

It’s time to look at DC 2023 Playing 11 as Delhi IPL Team gears up for another exciting Indian Premier League edition. They failed to go to the playoffs in IPL 2022 after they underwent a lot of changes. However, they have retained their core going into IPL 2023, and here’s how strongest Delhi Capitals Playing XI could shape up.

1. Prithvi Shaw

Prithvi Shaw will have a lot to prove this IPL season. The stylish basher’s existence has almost been disregarded by the Indian selectors, not giving him a go in any of the white ball teams that have been picked. Therefore, he will be looking to amass a truckload of runs this time around so that the selectors finally stand up and take notice.

2. David Warner

The Aussie southpaw is one of the greatest players to ever feature in the league. He has a stellar record in the toughest cricket tournament in the world and his consistency is borderline unbelievable. However, Warner himself admits that he is at the dawn of his career and will therefore look to extract as much joy from plying his trade as possible.

3. Mitchell Marsh

The second Australian in this batting lineup, Marsh has come of age in T20 cricket. He now understands his role – which is to go after the bowling from the get-go and not bother about losing his wicket while at it. He is excellent against pace and though his spin game can be worked on, he is the “x-factor” that DC needs.

4. Rishabh Pant

It has been a slow 6 months for the explosive wicket-keeper batsman. He has been pushed to the fringes of the international T20 team with the emergence of Dinesh Karthik. However, if there ever was a batting lineup that would allow Pant to really express himself, it is this one. The need of the hour for him is to play his natural game and not worry too much about losing his wicket.

5. Rovman Powell

The words that come to one’s mind when Rovman Powell is mentioned are “raw power”. The towering Jamaican is built like a unit and a half and is capable of hitting the longest sixes in world cricket. However, it is a widely popular opinion that he lacks the temperament and game awareness that is required for a finisher, and therefore it will be interesting to see how he blossoms under Ricky Ponting and co.

6. Lalit Yadav

The number six spot might just prove to be a massive chink in the armor of the Delhi Capitals. Although Lalit Yadav has been around for a while, he has failed to grab eyeballs while batting lower down the order. Therefore, it won’t come as a surprise if the Capitals are on the hunt for a lower middle-order batsman come December 23.

7. Axar Patel

The wily left-arm spinner can put his forgettable World Cup campaign behind him because he is a totally different bowler on slow, low Indian wickets like the one at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. He still remains the Capitals’ most important bowler in the middle overs and his success will be critical for them.

8. Mustafizur Rehman

Mustafizur Rahman is now a seasoned campaigner in T20 cricket and plies his trade all across the globe. He has blossomed into a reliable death bowler who possesses a lethal yorker and clever variations. Therefore, he will be given the responsibility of the Capitals’ death bowling.

9. Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav’s run with the Capitals last year was a fairytale comeback of sorts. He was, by all means, down and out and was finding it hard to even confirm a place in KKR’s first XI. However, his fortunes turned for the better upon his move to Delhi, as the spinner picked 21 wickets in 14 appearances.

10. Khaleel Ahmed

Khaleel Ahmed is arguably the most underrated bowler going around. He has pace and swing, and can also come with handy variations at the death. He might prove to be an ideal third seamer for Indian conditions when utilised properly.

11. Anrich Nortje

Raw pace and skid off the surface are what describe Nortje’s bowling. He will undoubtedly be the spearhead of the Delhi attack and is useful both with the new ball and in the middle overs. He is also an ideal second fiddle to Mustafizur in the death.