Factors affecting Delhi’s performance in IPL 2021.
The Delhi Capitals have been one of the most improved teams in IPL of late. The Delhi-based franchise rebranded itself ahead of the 2019 season. That decision worked wonders for them as they finished third in IPL 2019 and then made it to their first final last year. Unfortunately, DC could not end their title drought.
IPL 2021 could be the Delhi Capitals’ year. They have assembled a fantastic squad with proper back-up options available in each department. They have a solid Indian top-order backed by Steve Smith, Shimron Hetmyer, Sam Billings, and Marcus Stoinis. The Delhi-based franchise also have IPL 2020 Purple Cap winner Kagiso Rabada. The Capitals invested their funds wisely at IPL Auction 2021. They are among the favorites to win the title this year.
IPL 2021: SWOT Analysis of Delhi Capitals (DC)
Strengths – Fast bowling department
Very few IPL franchises can brag of an extremely talented fast bowling attack like the Delhi Capitals. As mentioned ahead, Kagiso Rabada will spearhead the Delhi Capitals fast bowling department in IPL 2021. Rabada and his compatriot Anrich Nortje wreaked havoc in the United Arab Emirates last year.
Besides, the Delhi Capitals also retained 2019 Cricket World Cup-winning player Chris Woakes. Veteran Indian pacer Ishant Sharma will support the overseas pacers. The overseas contingent of the Capitals includes fast-bowling all-rounder Tom Curran who played for the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2020. Curran has much T20 experience under his belt.
The Delhi-based franchise signed Umesh Yadav for just 1 crore at IPL Auction 2021. Lukman Meriwala was one of the top performers in domestic circuit this year, whereas Marcus Stoinis and Avesh Khan can also trouble the opposition batsmen with their pace. Thus, it goes without saying that the Delhi Capitals have the most fiery pace attack among all teams competing in the 2021 edition of the IPL.
Weaknesses – No Indian back-up wicket-keeper
Rishabh Pant is the number one wicket-keeping choice for the Delhi Capitals. But as the fans saw last year, Pant missed a few IPL matches for the Capitals. In his absence, the team management included Alex Carey in the playing XI. Replacing an Indian player with a foreigner always hurts the team’s balance.
This year, Sam Billings is the back-up option available with the Delhi Capitals. In case Rishabh Pant misses out due to any reason, Billings will walk into the playing XI. Now if Billings comes in, a foreign player will lose his spot. And an Indian player will take the foreigner’s place in the match squad.
Thus, the team’s balance will alter a lot when Rishabh Pant is unavailable. Signing someone like KS Bharat, Avi Barot, or Kedar Devdhar could have been a great decision for the Delhi Capitals. While Bharat joined RCB, Barot and Devdhar went unsold at IPL Auction 2021. The absence of a secondary Indian wicket-keeper batsman could prove to be a weakness for the Delhi Capitals.
Opportunities – Big chance for Prithvi Shaw and Ajinkya Rahane
With two T20 World Cup tournaments set to happen in 2021 and 2022, there will be an intense competition among Indian players for a spot in the squad. Two players who are behind on the list as compared to the other Indian batsmen are Prithvi Shaw and Ajinkya Rahane. Both DC batters did not have an eventful IPL 2020 campaign.
Still, Shaw and Rahane can make a statement by scoring runs consistently for the Delhi Capitals. Although the Indian cricket team has reliable opening options, Shaw and Rahane could rise on the list of back-ups for the T20 World Cup with an impressive performance in IPL 2021. Perhaps, they could get a chance to prove themselves in the Sri Lanka tour or Asia Cup T20. Also, if both players bring their ‘A’ game to the table, the chances that the Delhi Capitals win the tournament will be very high.
On top of that, many reports have suggested that Mumbai could probably host the entire league phase of IPL 2021. Prithvi Shaw and Ajinkya Rahane have grown up playing cricket at various stadiums in Mumbai. Thus, IPL 2021 could be a golden opportunity for both batsmen to strengthen their candidature for a spot in the Indian T20I team.
Threats – Lack of an experienced back-up in spin attack
The Delhi Capitals have two match-winners in the form of Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra in their spin-bowling section. However, one must consider that both players have suffered injuries regularly. In fact, both Indian spinners missed IPL 2020 matches for the Delhi Capitals because of injury issues.
After Ashwin and Mishra picked up injuries last year, Axar Patel had to carry the spin department on his shoulders. While Patel is in good form right now, even he will need support from the other end. The Delhi Capitals have let go of their Nepalese leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane.
They have the options of Pravin Dubey and M Siddharth available in the squad. Dubey had a forgettable debut season in the Gulf nation. Meanwhile, Siddharth is yet to receive his first IPL cap. Hence, lack of an experienced back-up option for Ravichandran Ashwin as well as Amit Mishra might hurt the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2021.
