Delhi Capitals were one of the star franchises in IPL 2025 as they started the tournament with a dominant run chase. However, their campaign fell apart midway through the tournament and their campaign ended before the playoffs.
Delhi Capitals made a great start to IPL 2025 after revamping their entire squad in the IPL 2025 mega-auction. They released all their former players including former captain Rishabh Pant and also changed their coaching unit.
Under the leadership of Axar Patel, Delhi Capitals had many new players. They found some of their star players in Ashutosh Sharma and Vipraj Nigam; However, he suffered setbacks during the second half of the tournament and missed the knockouts.
Aakash Chopra told the biggest dilemma of Delhi Capitals
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has pointed out possibly the weakest point in the Delhi Capitals team, and it is not any of their players. He accused managerial errors of being one of the major reasons for the Capitals’ exit from the last edition of the PSL.
He said that part of his mistake was repeatedly cutting and changing players. Aakash Chopra also pointed out the mistreatment of KL Rahul by the Delhi Capitals management.
“The formula for teams’ success is to get on the field. As soon as the first match comes, you play your best XI, and you stick with it for a long time. You get that kind of consistency in a trophy-winning season. Their challenge will be, what is their opening combination? Who are your two opening batsmen?” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
After opining that the franchise needs to retain its final combination of XI players, he pointed out that it took a lot of time for KL Rahul to be given the role he loves in this format of the game.
He further added, “Last time too, they started with KL Rahul lower down the order and then brought him up. By the time they reached the business end, they were still searching for what is right. A challenge for this team will be to decide what is right as the season starts.”
Indian pace team looks a bit 50-50- Aakash Chopra
Apart from the batting struggles, the Capitals also struggled with the ball at times. It was reported that T. Natarajan was injured last year; However, he will be available this time. However, the form of the players will be a matter of concern this season.
He said, “The Indian fast bowling team looks a bit 50-50. It is not clear whether they will go this way or that way. T Natarajan was injured last year. So he did not play much cricket. Now he has started playing, but his form will be in question.”
It seemed true that Mukesh Kumar is a genuine wicket-taker and has proved his worth, but sometimes he can be beaten for runs. There should be someone to support Mitchell Starc with the new ball.
I’m really looking forward to seeing him bowl – Chopra on Auqib Nabi’s IPL debut
Delhi Capitals were also quite active in the mini-auction as they got some very good players at low rates. This mostly included batsmen like David Miller, Ben Duckett and Nitish Rana; However, another Indian bowler remained the center of attention.
Ranji Trophy-winning Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi, who has also bowled brilliantly in the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, will be tested for the first time in the IPL.
“They have kept Auqib Nabi Dar. He is coming off the back of taking more than 95 first-class wickets and doing well in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and I am really looking forward to seeing him bowl, but he has not been tested at this level yet. Mukesh Kumar is good, but he can score a lot of runs,” Chopra said.
Lungi Ngidi, along with Australian legend Mitchell Starc, could be crucial to the fast bowling department of Delhi Capitals. Axar Patel, Vipraj Nigam and Kuldeep Yadav will continue as the three frontline spinners.
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