Delhi Capitals (DC) were dealt a huge blow ahead of IPL 2023 when their captain and keeper Rishabh Pant was ruled out of the tournament as he met with a near-fatal accident in December 2022 and has been recovering from the same.
DC had missed playoffs qualification by a whisker in IPL 2022 and would have planned something for IPL 2023. They went in the IPL 2023 auction with a set target and their biggest buy at the auction was South Africa’s dashing batter Rilee Russouw for INR 4.6 crores, while they got Manish Pandey at a bargain of INR 2.4 cr.
India pacer Mukesh Kumar went to DC for INR 5.5 crores and England’s Phil Salt was picked for INR 2 crores. In absence of Rishabh Pant, DC management handed the captaincy to IPL 2016 winning captain David Warner and Akshar Patel was named the vice-captain of the side for IPL 2023.
IPL 2023: WATCH- David Warner shares a special message for Rishabh Pant after being named DC captain
Keeping these new signings in the mind, here is the COC predicated best playing XI for the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the IPL 2023.
David Warner will continue to open the innings with Prithvi Shaw as the duo was quite successful in the previous edition of the tournament. Mitchell Marsh is expected to bat at no.3 in the lineup and with him expected to bowl as well, it will add a new dimension to the DC lineup.
With Pant out of the IPL 2023, DC would need to bring in a new wicketkeeper-batter in the side and they have options of Sarfaraz Khan, who is a part-time keeper, Phil Salt of England, and even Manish Pandey, who can keep wickets.
However, given Manish Pandey’s importance as a batter, DC might want to go with Sarfaraz Khan, who recently kept wickets for Mumbai in domestic cricket and has been doing so in the nets as well.
Rovman Powell was terrific as a finisher for DC last year and is expected to continue doing the demolition work. In case, he falters, DC has the option of bringing in Rilee Russouw, who is coming off a successful PSL, where he struck the second-fastest century in the league.
The spin duo of Akshar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav were excellent in middle overs last season and with both doing well for India, they will have the confidence of bringing that success to DC as well.
As for the pace department, Anrich Nortje will be the first name that will go on the sheets with Chetan Sakariya and either Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, or Ishant Sharma accompanying the duo.
COC predicted best playing XI for Delhi Capitals (DC):
David Warner (C), Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Marsh, Manish Pandey, Sarfaraz Khan (WK), Rovman Powell, Akshar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Anrich Nortje, Chetan Sakariya
