IPL 2022: A Complete Breakdown Of Delhi Capitals' Squad

Analysis of Delhi Capitals(DC) Squad for the IPL 2022.

'Third Time's The Charm' is something Delhi Capitals will hope for when it enters the IPL 2022 after a successful Mega Auction. Delhi has not only constructed a squad good enough to win the upcoming season but for the future as well. 

Delhi began the Auction process by retaining four players - Rishabh Pant(16cr), Axar Patel(12cr), Prithvi Shaw(8cr), and Anrich Nortje(6.5cr) - who cost 42.5 crores of the total 90 crore purse. 

At the end of the Auction, DC was left with just 10 lakhs in the pocket after spending 89.9 crores on 24 players in two days. Delhi bought nine uncapped players, who cost them 5.5 crores, and 11 capped for 41.85 crores. 

Delhi brought back a total of seven players - four through retentions - in the squad from the last 2021 season which cost them 43.85 crores. 

DC's most expensive buy in the Auction was Shardul Thakur for 10.75 crores. The next expensive player was Australia's T20 World Cup star, Mitchell Marsh for 6.5 Crores. 

One For The Present And Future 

Delhi Capitals already had a powerplay specialist in the form of Prithvi Shaw and they got him a partner who goes by the name, David Warner. The swashbuckling Australia opener adds to the dynamic capability of the DC's opening pair which will be tough to stop. 

Marsh is another great addition, a far better replacement of Steve Smith from DC's IPL 2021 squad. He has been an Australian hero, in recent times and also gives bowling depth to the team. 

With Rishabh Pant at four, Delhi has one of the most destructive top four this season. If one notices, DC's top four look like this - Righty, Lefty, Righty, Lefty, covering all areas. 

Sarfaraz Khan hasn't been given a consistent run in IPL but has already showcased what he can do. Playing him at number five gives Delhi another pace-hitting batter with some decent finishing skills. Sarfaraz will be helped by another big-hitting West Indian - Rovman Powell. 

DC has backed Lalit Yadav's all-round skills after seeing him for the last two seasons. He is a floater batter with some decent bowling skills. His spin partner will be Axar Patel, who adds to Delhi's batting depth. 

Delhi was aiming for either Deepak Chahar or Shardul Thakur for an Indian pace bowling allrounder spot and they managed to get the latter. Thakur operates in the middle overs and has the knack of picking wickets at regular intervals. 

Anrich Nortje will be leading Delhi's bowling department and is likely to get support from left armer Khaleel Ahmed, who adds variety. 

Why Delhi has one of the most complete squads is they have got quality backups for almost all positions. In Kuldeep Yadav, DC has got a quality spinner for suitable conditions. 

The likes of Mustafizur Rahman, Chetan Sakariya, and Kamlesh Nagarkoti give Delhi a strong bench strength. In KS Bharat, Mandeep Singh, and Yash Dhull - Delhi has got some solid middle-order backups. Tim Seifert and Ripal Patel will act as the backup of Rovman Powell. 

Delhi Capitals looked like the most sorted-out team during the two-day Mega Auction. A team that knew what it wants and on whom it is gambling on. They reached the IPL 2020, playoffs in 2021, and with the squad like this, it won't be a surprise if DC manages to finish in the top two and even lift the trophy this time, since of course - the third time's the charm, right? 

DC IPL 2022 Squad - Prithvi Shaw, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, Rovman Powell, Lalit Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Anrich Nortje, Mustafizur Rahman, Ashwin Hebbar, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Kuldeep Yadav, KS Bharat, Mandeep Singh, Ripal Patel, Yash Dhull, Praveen Dubey, Chetan Sakariya, Lungi Ngidi, Tim Seifert, Vicky Ostwal