IPL 2025: Delhi Capitals' Predicted Playing XI

After the departure of their previous captain, the Delhi Capitals will be embarking on a new journey with Axar Patel as their new leader. The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League will start this weekend and is expected to feature some exciting matches with revamped squads, as all the teams have made major changes to their rosters after the IPL 2025 Mega auction. This article will discuss the Delhi Capitals' expected playing XI for the upcoming season.

The IPL 2025 will start on 22nd March with the match between the defending Champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Garden, Kolkata. The upcoming season will feature 74 exciting matches over two months, with each team playing 14 matches, 7 away games, and 7 Home games. The season will end with the finals on 25th May at the same Eden Gardens. 

From one home to another 🏟️

Delhi 🛫 Vizag 📍 pic.twitter.com/lyHZuABd7Z

— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 17, 2025

Delhi Capitals' Predicted Playing XI

KL Rahul

The star Indian batter KL Rahul, who played an important role in the recent Champions Trophy victory, will be playing for Delhi Capitals this year. Rahul, who was leading Lucknow Super Giants until last year, was released by LSG due to the team's performances under his captaincy and was later acquired by Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. Without the pressure of captaincy with the new franchise, Rahul will focus solely on his batting, which could be a blessing in disguise for him. In the 118 matches played, he has scored 4,163 runs, with an average of 46.25 and a strike rate of 134.53.

Jake Fraser-McGurk

The explosive Australian Jake Fraser will be playing for Delhi Capitals this year. He is known for his fearless batting style and has a strike rate of over 220. He could be a game-changer for Delhi Capitals in the upcoming season. He will be opening with Faf Du Plessis, and this opening duo could prove to be one of the best in the season, given Faf's consistency and explosive batting. In the nine matches played, he has scored 330 runs with an average of 36.67 anda strike rate of 234.04.

Faf du Plessis

The former South African batter and captain will be playing for Delhi Capitals this year, and according to a recent announcement, he will serve as Delhi Capitals’ vice-captain for the season. Faf, after playing for RCB for the last three years, performed well in both leading the team and with his batting, scoring over 400 runs in each season and taking the team to the playoffs. With this new franchise, it will be interesting to see how he performs. In the 144 matches played, he has scored 4,571 runs with an average of 36.85 and a strike rate of 136.30.

Forty never looked this good 🥵 pic.twitter.com/pHTACH3OkR

— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 17, 2025

Abishek Porel

Abhishek, an exciting Indian wicketkeeper talent, will be a key batter in the Delhi Capitals' playing XI for the season. Last season, he performed well, scoring over 300 runs. Having expressed his desire to play at the top order or even open the innings, it will be interesting to see where he bats in the order.In the 18 matches played, he has scored 360 runs with an average of 30.00 and a strike rate of 152.54.

Tristan Stubbs

The explosive finisher from South Africa, known for scoring quick runs in the final overs, was retained by Delhi Capitals for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. His skills could be the X factor for Delhi this season. In the 13 matches he played, he scored 373 runs with an average of 54.00 and a strike rate of 183.50.

Axar Patel

Axar Patel, who has become the Delhi Capitals’ new captain, will lead the side this year as an experienced all-rounder. In India's recent Champions Trophy victory, he played a crucial role both with the ball and with his batting in the middle order, providing extra support to the team that contributed significantly to the victory. With his new leadership role, his responsibilities have increased, and it will be interesting to see how he performs under extra load. In the 150 matches played, he has taken 123 wickets with an economy of 7.44 and an average of 30.54 while scoring 1,653 runs at a strike rate of 130.80.

Ashutosh Sharma

A young Indian batter who performed well in the recent domestic season will play for Delhi in the upcoming Season. He is expected to be in the playing XI, batting in the lower order.In the 11 matches played, he has scored 189 runs, with an average of 27.00 and a strike rate of 167.26.

Mitchell Starc

Star Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who has years of experience, will play for Delhi Capitals this year. The most expensive player of last season, Starc, performed well for KKR but was later released before the IPL 2025 Mega auction, where Delhi Capitals acquired him. He is known for his accuracy and wicket-taking skills, and he will be another key player for Delhi Capitals this season. In the 41 matches played, he has taken 73 wickets, with an economy of 8.33 and an average of 20.39.

Kuldeep Yadav

The Indian chinaman spinner, who has been with Delhi Capitals for many seasons, will be leading the spin department alongside skipper Axar Patel. Kuldeep is coming from the Champions Trophy, where he played a crucial role in India's victory. In the 84 matches played, he has taken 86 wickets with an economy of 8.21 and an average of 27.76.

T Natarajan

The exciting Indian pacer, known for his yorkers and death bowling, has been signed by Delhi Capitals for the upcoming season. Natarajan, despite being in his 30s, has performed well over the last few years and could be an important death bowler for Delhi Capitals alongside Mitchell Starc. In the 46 matches played, he has taken 55 wickets with an economy of 8.71 and an average of 29.89.

Mukesh Kumar

Mukesh Kumar will play for Delhi Capitals in the season. The team acquired him for Rs 8 crore after an extensive bidding war, which proves his worth. Having played his last season for Chennai Super Kings, Mukesh has shown his abilities and will form a formidable pace attack with Mitchell Starc and T Natrajan. In the 20 matches played, he has taken 24 wickets, with an economy of 10.44 and an average of 28.92.

Delhi Capitals’ Squad For IPL 2025

Delhi Capitals’ schedule for IPL 2025