Delhi Capitals
Based: Dubai
Last season: Third
Best finish: First place in the league in 2009 and 2012
Coach: Ricky Ponting
Captain: Shreyas Iyer. In six seasons before last year, Delhi did not get any higher than third last in the IPL league table. With inexperienced Iyer at the helm, though, they thrived. He will have an understanding of UAE grounds, too. He was part of the India side that played at the Under 19 World Cup here in 2014.
Key man: Ajinkya Rahane
Delhi might have the youngest captain in the league, but they brought in plenty of experience to help him out this season. Ravichandran Ashwin arrived from Kings XI Punjab, and Rahane, the leading run-scorer in Rajasthan Royals’ history, is also in.
Big miss: Chris Woakes
The England pace bowler was one of the highest priced recruits in IPL not so long ago. He opted out of this season, though, as he is expecting the arrival of a new baby this month. Anrich Nortje, the South Africa quick, replaces him.
Verdict
Few teams have such an enviable array of young talent as the side from India’s capital. Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh Pant and Iyer are some of the country’s brightest young prospects. Even their overseas players are kids. Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane turned 20 last month, while Kagiso Rabada might already have 197 Test crickets for South Africa, but he is still just 25.
T20 cricket in general, and the IPL in particular, place a premium on experience, though. See CSK’s perennial success with a team of 30 (and 40) somethings as evidence.
As such, the recruitment of Ashwin and Rahane, who each have the best part of a decade of international experience under their belts, represents savvy business by the Capitals.
Fixtures
1. Match 2, Sunday, September 20, 6pm, Dubai – Delhi Capitals v Kings XI Punjab
2. Match 7, Friday, September 25, 6pm, Dubai – Chennai Super Kings v Delhi Capitals
3. Match 11, Tuesday, September 29, 6pm, Abu Dhabi – Delhi Capitals v Sunrisers Hyderabad
4. Match 16, Saturday, October 3, 6pm, Sharjah – Delhi Capitals v Kolkata Knight Riders
5. Match 19, Monday, October 5, 6pm, Dubai – Royal Challengers Bangalore v Delhi Capitals
6. Match 23, Friday, October 9, 6pm, Sharjah – Rajasthan Royals v Delhi Capitals
7. Match 27, Sunday, October 11, 6pm, Abu Dhabi – Mumbai Indians v Delhi Capitals
8. Match 30, Wednesday, October 14, 6pm, Dubai – Delhi Capitals v Rajasthan Royals
9. Match 34, Saturday, October 17, 6pm, Sharjah – Delhi Capitals v Chennai Super Kings
10. Match 38, Tuesday, October 20, 6pm, Dubai – Kings XI Punjab v Delhi Capitals
11. Match 42, Saturday, October 24, 2pm, Abu Dhabi – Kolkata Knight Riders v Delhi Capitals
12. Match 47, Tuesday, October 27, 6pm, Dubai – Sunrisers Hyderabad v Delhi Capitals
13. Match 51, Saturday, October 31, 2pm, Dubai – Delhi Capitals v Mumbai Indians
14. Match 55, Monday, November 2, 6pm, Abu Dhabi – Delhi Capitals v Royal Challengers Bangalore
