Delhi Capitals will begin their IPL 2023 campaign with a night match against the Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow on April 1 – here is the predicted DC XI for the match, along with tournament prediction, squad and schedule.

After failing to reach the Playoffs six times in a row, Delhi made it to the top four in 2019, 2020, and 2021, finishing runners-up in 2020. In 2022, they finished fifth.

Ahead of the 2023 auction, Delhi traded Shardul Thakur with the Kolkata Knight Riders, and acquired Aman Khan. They also released KS Bharat, Tim Seifert, Mandeep Singh, and Ashwin Hebbar.

At the auction, the Capitals acquired Mukesh Kumar (for INR 5.5 crore), Manish Pandey (INR 2.4 crore), and veteran local fast bowler Ishant Sharma (INR 50 lakh).

A car crash has ruled captain, wicketkeeper, and talismanic batter Rishabh Pant out of IPL 2023, and beyond. David Warner will lead them in his absence. They acquired Abishek Porel in Pant’s absence.

Delhi Capitals squad at IPL 2023

(Overseas players underlined)

David Warner (c), Phil Salt (wk), Manish Pandey (wk), Sarfaraz Khan (wk), Abishek Porel (wk), Prithvi Shaw, Rilee Rossouw, Rovman Powell, Yash Dhull, Mitchell Marsh, Axar Patel, Lalit Yadav, Aman Khan, Anrich Nortje, Mustafizur Rahman, Lungi Ngidi, Ishant Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Chetan Sakariya, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Pravin Dubey, Vicky Ostwal.

Delhi Capitals schedule at IPL 2023: Click here for match timings

DC in IPL 2023: Team news

Delhi have replaced Pant with Porel, but that does not solve their problem. Manish Pandey and Sarfaraz Khan have both kept wicket in  Indian domestic limited-overs cricket, and one of them is likely to take up that role here. Porel is unlikely to start the tournament.

Assigning the big gloves to Phil Salt will lead to them missing out on one of their big overseas cricketers, though Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi will arrive after Delhi’s first match.

Mitchell Marsh will be unavailable for a week from April 7 as he flies home for his wedding.

DC probable XI for first game of IPL 2023

David Warner (c), Prithvi Shaw, Rilee Rossouw, Rovman Powell, Mitchell Marsh, Sarfaraz Khan (wk), Axar Patel, Lalit Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Chetan Sakariya.

Delhi Capitals: IPL 2023 prediction

Pant’s absence has hampered the balance of the Delhi unit, but their explosive batting unit make them a top-four contender.

Delhi Capitals are 7/1 to win their maiden IPL title with our Match Centre partners bet365. To bet on the outright market of the competition head here.