IPL 2025 Delhi Capitals Strongest Possible Playing 11 Analyzed
KL Rahul expected to lead in our strongest possible playing 11 for Delhi Capitals (DC) for IPL 2025.
We are in the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League, but if there is one team that has struggled to maintain consistency in their selection, it is Delhi Capitals. Be it the first Mega Auction in 2011 or the current one in 2025, the Delhi Capitals side has always let go of many quality players that could have defined the legacy of the team. So, be it Gautam Gambhir in 2011 or Rishabh Pant in 2025, the failed negotiations have led to the departure of their legacy-defining players.
With such a mindset at the Auction and before the Auction, the team has rarely managed to maintain a consistent set of match-winners in their team for the longest time with them. Even in 2025, if we observe the side, Delhi Capitals have managed to get back only 6 of their existing players from the 2024 side. This means, almost 75% of the team will be new, and it will be almost another restart to claim their maiden IPL trophy.
The team will also see a new leader in the form of KL Rahul, who will also be looking for a maiden IPL trophy. But how have the Delhi Capitals team built the squad for IPL 2025? Do they have quality players on their side that can help them achieve their maiden IPL trophy? Well, let’s analyze the complete squad and players list for Delhi Captials, and find out their strongest possible playing 11 for IPL 2025.
IPL 2025 Official Squad List for Delhi Capitals (DC)
Batters: Faf du Plessis (o), Harry Brook (o), Jake Fraser-McGurk (o) & Karun Nair
WKs: Abhishek Porel, KL Rahul, Donavan Ferreira (o) & Tristan Stubbs (o)
All-rounders: Ajay Mandal, Ashutosh Sharma, Axar Patel, Darshan Nalkande, Madhav Tiwari, Manvanth Kumar, Sameer Rizvi, Tripurana Vijay & Vipraj Nigam
Bowlers: Dushmantha Chameera (o), Kuldeep Yadav, Mitchell Starc (o), Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar & T Natarajan
IPL 2025 Delhi Capitals Strongest Playing 11 Analyzed
Openers
Starting with the openers, Delhi Capitals have four solid openers on their side in the form of KL Rahul, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abhishek Porel, and Faf du Plessis. So, which of these four players will be preferred for the opening slot? Well, Faf du Plessis is a quality player, undoubtedly, but given the team combination, KL Rahul and Jake Fraser-McGurk will be a great opening combination for Delhi. It is a great fire-and-ice combination with Jake donning the role of the aggressor, and KL Rahul supporting him.
Middle-order
With such a solid opening combination, Abhishek Porel, who was retained by Delhi Capitals will have to play at the number 3 position. This isn’t a bad place to be, and Abhishek can still play his natural game at the number 3 position. Supporting Abhishek shall be Harry Brook at 4 and Tristan Stubbs at 5. With two Overseas players in the middle-order, there is enough firepower in the Delhi Capitals lineup, and the top 5 looks quite strong.
Finishers
Coming to the finishers, Delhi Capitals will have to rely on the expertise of Axar Patel, and newly added Ashutosh Sharma. While Axar Patel is an experienced player and finisher, Ashutosh is relatively new and inexperienced. However, Ashu did do well for Punjab Kings, and the same will be expected from him in Delhi. So, overall, a lack of a second all-rounder means, either Delhi will have to play an extra bowler or an extra finisher at number 8.
Bowlers
Moving on to the bowlers, Delhi Capitals have done a really good job in this area. The team has a solid experienced mix of pacers and spinners in their lineup. The pace bowling shall be led by Mitchell Starc with support from T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar, and Mohit Sharma. Whereas the spin bowling shall be led by Kuldeep Yadav with support from Axar Patel. Overall, having 6 experienced bowlers in the side itself is bliss for Delhi Capitals.
Overall, Delhi Capitals have a solid playing 11 for IPL 2025 with a few minor gaps in terms of the experience of Abhishek Porel, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Ashutosh Sharma. If these players are given the freedom, they can come out with flying colours. The bowling has enough experience to not succumb to the pressure, and It can be a great season for Delhi Capitals if KL Rahul leads well.
IPL 2025 Strongest Possible Playing 11 for Delhi Capitals (DC)
- KL Rahul (c)
- Jake Fraser-McGurk
- Abhishek Porel (wk)
- Harry Brook
- Tristan Stubbs
- Axar Patel
- Ashutosh Sharma
- Mitchell Starc
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mukesh Kumar
- T Natarajan
- Mohit Sharma (Impact Player)
IPL 2025 Alternate Playing 11 Options for Delhi Capitals:
#1: Faf du Plessis for Harry Brook
Now, Faf du Plessis for Harry Brook can be a good option that Delhi Capitals can ponder upon. Faf, who has age issues at his side is still a quality player, and has also done well in IPL 2024. If at all Delhi decide to play Faf, he can play as an opener, or number 3 position. In this scenario, either KL Rahul will have to bat at 3, or Abhishek Porel will have to bat at 4. Anyway, this isn’t a bad move if Brook isn’t available.
#2: Sameer Rizvi as Impact Player
If we observe the current Delhi Capitals playing 11, there is a lack of batting depth in be side. In such a scenario, the team will have to sacrifice one of the fast bowlers, and instead play Sameer Rizvi at number 8. However, the good thing is Delhi Capitals will have to only take this call as an impact player, if the team is facing an issue with regards to putting a respectable score on the table.
#3: Focus on Spin
Finally, the current Delhi Capitals playing 11 is slightly pace-friendly with the presence of 4 pacers. So, in case Delhi Capitals wants a side that has at least 3 spinners for the pitches in Chennai and Kolkata, the team can think of playing the likes of Ajaj Mandal, Tripurana Vijay, and Vipraj Nigam instead of either Mukesh Kumar or Mohit Sharma.
Thanks for reading! What’s your strongest playing 11 for Delhi Capitals for IPL 2025? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com
Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.
Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.
Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.
