Delhi Capitals kicked off their IPL 2025 marketing campaign in type, profitable 4 straight video games and searching like robust title contenders. However because the season approaches the enterprise finish, the facet’s kind and fortunes have fully circled. The Axar Patel-led facet has now misplaced 4 of their final six matches, with three of them coming at house. Their most up-to-date defeat got here in opposition to Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday night.Â
Within the loss to KKR, Sunil Narine’s all-round brilliance took the defending champions over the road. Whereas chasing 205, the Capitals got here shut however ultimately fell brief by 14 runs regardless of sensible efforts from Faf du Plessis (62 off 45), Axar Patel (43 off 23), and Vipraj Nigam (38 off 19). Narine wasn’t simply efficient with the ball (3/27), he additionally ran out KL Rahul and took an important catch, making a distinction in nearly each section. Notably, he additionally led the facet for the previous few overs within the second innings after Ajinkya Rahane suffered an harm on his hand and returned to the dugout.
One of many greatest points for the loss has been their latest kind general and PowerPlay execution. In opposition to KKR, DC leaked 79 runs within the first six overs whereas managing solely 58/2 in their very own. That early deficit put pointless strain on the center order.
DC’s qualification situation remains to be of their arms, however the room for error is minimal. With 12 factors from 10 matches, they sit fourth on the desk, behind Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians, and Gujarat Titans. Their internet run fee has slipped to constructive 0.362, in comparison with RCB’s (+)0.521. To go high, they’ll needn’t simply to win however win large, both defending a complete by over 35 runs or chasing 160 in beneath 16 overs. With simply 4 video games left, DC is shifting in direction of a now-or-never scenario. They’ll look to regroup and produce out an answer to those lapses.
CricTracker lists two issues that haven’t labored for the Delhi-based franchise and suggests methods wherein they will redeem themselves.
2. Overdependence on Mitchell Starc from the quick bowling unit:
Ace pacer Mitchell Starc has been the one fighter in DC’s tempo assault this season, typically carrying the bowling unit on his shoulders. Regardless of going for runs, Starc has offered breakthroughs at common intervals and has picked 14 wickets in 10 video games at a median of 26.14, together with a fiery 5/35 spell. He presently sits fourth on the checklist of highest wicket-takers in IPL 2025. Whereas the Aussie left-armer has bagged wickets repeatedly, help from the opposite pacers has been underwhelming. Mukesh Kumar has 9 wickets however conceded runs at practically 10 an over. Dushmantha Chameera, featured in simply three matches, and veteran Mohit Sharma, with simply two wickets in seven video games, haven’t offered a lot backup both. Starc within the latest conflict in opposition to KKR completed with figures of three/43, together with two wickets within the ultimate over.Â
1. Poor begin from the top-order:
The highest order has been a priority this season, failing to offer strong begins and ultimately burdening the center overs. The poor type of Jake Fraser triggered a change mid-season, however placing him on the bench hasn’t benefited the facet. Younger prospect Abishek Porel has struggled, and within the sport in opposition to KKR, he fell cheaply to Anukul Roy after hitting a boundary. Faf du Plessis scored 62, however his contributions have been inconsistent, with scores of two, 22, and 29 in latest video games. Karun Nair too has blown cold and hot, managing simply 15 earlier than falling LBW to Vaibhav Arora.
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