After their change in jerseys, logo and name, the Delhi team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) became more consistent. The change happened from IPL 2019 and they have displayed oodles of consistency post that.
However, in IPL 2023, the Delhi Capitals side have been quite disappointing. Their downfall can be attributed to several factors and the team management needs to look back at their pathetic season post the tournament.
David Warner, who was the stand-in-skipper, looks like the only formidable batter in their ranks. Rest all the batters have led the team down.
In this article, we take a look at 5 reasons behind Delhi Capitals’ unexpected downfall in this season:
1. Absence of Rishabh Pant
The absence of regular skipper Rishabh Pant was a major jolt in the plans of DC. Rishabh Pant is a force to reckon with in the T20 format and he also leads the side pretty well. As he was ruled out of IPL 2023 following a car crash in December 2022, the side heavily missed his services.
His absence created a void in the wicket-keeper’s position and the DC backup keepers in the form of Sarfaraz Khan and Abhishek Porel failed to leave a lasting impression.
2. Lack of stability in the middle-order
Once the top order collapses DC has no plans afterwards. The middle-order crumbles like a pack of cards and the lack of a solid batter in the middle has caused them to fail miserably.
In one game versus Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), DC were comfortably chasing down a total of 198. They were 112-2, thanks to a partnership between David Warner and Phil Salt. But the moment the latter got dismissed, the Delhi team slipped on a banana peel and lost the game.
3. Axar Patel wasn’t sent higher up the order
Arguably DC’s best batter in IPL 2023, Axar Patel was always kept for the fag end of the innings. He was never promoted up the order. This resulted in Patel facing less deliveries and therefore he couldn’t leave an impact in the game.
Since Patel isn’t an out-an-out aggressive player, DC couldn’t maximize his entire potential.
4. DC pacers not living up to their expectations
The Delhi Capitals’ pacers have been out of form and have failed to pick wickets. Only Mitchell Marsh has displayed some sort of consistency but it is very rare when he bowls his full quota of 4 overs.
Anrich Nortje hasn’t been able to weave magic with the white cherry and has bagged only 7 wickets so far in IPL 2023.
5. David Warner’s strike-rate issues
The Australian opener is one of the most explosive and swashbuckling openers of contemporary cricket. But the lack of any other reliable batter apart from him and captaincy pressure has made him digress from his usual style of play.
Warner has had strike-rate issues in IPL 2023 and has a poor strike-rate of 119.57 in 11 matches so far. Even though he has mustered 330 runs and is Delhi Capitals’ highest run scorer in this tournament, he isn’t playing his natural game.
Also read: IPL 2023: 3 Reasons Why Yashasvi Jaiswal Can Win The Orange Cap
