Akshay Gopalakrishnan assesses how Delhi Capitals have shaken things up ahead of this season – a new last name just one of many changes for the franchise. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether those changes can help them to a first IPL title.
Delhi Capitals profile
Captain: Shreyas Iyer
Home ground: Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi
Owners: Parth Jindal (JSW Group) and Kiran Kumar Grandhi (GMR Group)
Past results: 2018: eighth place; 2017: sixth place; 2016: sixth place; 2015: seventh place; 2014: eighth place; 2013: ninth place; 2012: play-offs (third place); 2011: tenth place; 2010: fifth place; 2009: SF (third place); 2008: SF (fourth place)
IPL titles: None
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Key overseas player: Sandeep Lamichhane
Wrist-spinners are the flavour of the season, and teams investing in them are increasingly reaping the benefits, much like India have done with Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. The Kotla is a fast-paced surface, and batsmen like the ball to come on quickly in T20s. Lamichhane’s bag of tricks could be key in not only stifling the scoring but picking key wickets in the middle overs. Such has been his success in recent franchise tournaments, he is likely to be one of the first names on the team sheet for this year’s IPL.
Delhi Capitals squad
Shreyas Iyer (c), Colin Munro, Prithvi Shaw, Manjot Kalra, Shikhar Dhawan, Hanuma Vihari, Colin Ingram, Rishabh Pant, Ankush Bains, Chris Morris, Jalaj Saxena, Axar Patel, B Ayyappa, Sherfane Rutherford, Amit Mishra, Rahul Tewatia, Sandeep Lamichhane, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Avesh Khan, Trent Boult, Ishant Sharma, Keemo Paul, Nathu Singh
Prediction
In a highly competitive league, Capitals face an uphill task, challenging traditional powerhouses. They have the resources to fight against their string of last-place finishes, but an entry into the play-offs would be a surprise at this stage.
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