IPL 2020 team profiles: Delhi Capitals' key players, fixtures and predictions

Youthful team led by Shreyas Iyer has brought in experienced reinforcements

Delhi Capitals opener Prithvi Shaw will be hoping this is the year he puts all his fitness troubles behind him and scores a mountain of runs. AFP

Shikhar Dhawan offers familiarity and reliability at the top. At 34, is still sharp with the bat and in the field. AFP

Young Shreyas Iyer leads a bunch of former captains. But he did deliver their best performance in years last season. This edition will show his leadership potential, maybe even for the national team. AFP

Consistency will be the main focus for Delhi Capitals keeper batsman Rishabh Pant. AFP

Ajinkya Rahane brings in experience with the bat and as a former captain. AFP

Australia's Marcus Stoinis is almost the perfect all-rounder for UAE conditions. AFP

Ravichandran Ashwin is the big addition to the Delhi squad. AFP

Ishant Sharma only plays Test cricket and IPL. Seems to have managed the extremes well. AFP

Delhi Capitals's Australian seamer Daniel Sams. Courtesy Daniel Sams Instagram / @dansams

Proteas quick Kagiso Rabada is the biggest weapon in Delhi's arsenal. AFP

Nepal leggie Sandeep Lamichhane should enjoy UAE conditions. AFP

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