“We have got a great squad. We have a squad that can win the IPL. We have got lots of talent. But guess what? We've got to find a way to be different than everybody else.”
Ricky Ponting’s words speak volumes about the Australian legend’s acumen as a coach. One of the finest leaders of the game, Ponting has replicated his success with Delhi Capitals since his appointment.
Ricky Ponting’s words speak volumes about the Australian legend’s acumen as a coach. One of the finest leaders of the game, Ponting has replicated his success with Delhi Capitals since his appointment.
Since 2019, Delhi have managed to qualify for the knockout stages of the IPL in each of the last three editions of the tournament, making them the ONLY team to achieve the feat.
However, with the elusive IPL title yet to be won, Ponting and Delhi Capitals will have their sights firmly on the ultimate glory, the TATA IPL 2022 trophy.
In their pursuit of silverware this year, Ponting and Co. have assembled a group of players that are there to not only help them try and win IPL 2022 but also to keep them in good stead for the seasons to come beyond the upcoming campaign.
Furthermore, the addition of the vastly experienced duo of Shane Watson and Ajit Agarkar to the coaching setup is only expected to provide a massive boost to the team this season.
Retaining a Strong Core
Ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auctions, Delhi Capitals laid a strong foundation by retaining their core group of players, led by captain Rishabh Pant who marshalled his troops to the knockout stages of the tournament last year.
Meanwhile, in Prithvi Shaw, the team has invested in one of the finest strikers of the cricket ball. Shaw’s IPL strike rate of over 145 is bettered by only four other openers in the history of the tournament.
Among the pacers, Delhi retained the services of South African speedster Anrich Nortje, who is known for his ability to regularly bowl in excess of 150 kmph. Nortje, who features among the top three bowlers for the fastest ball of the tournament, has picked up 34 wickets at a strike-rate of 16 in the last two seasons for Delhi.
The team has also put their faith in all-rounder Axar Patel who has had a stellar couple of seasons, picking up 24 wickets at a scarcely believable economy rate of 6.52.
With a left-handed middle-order batter and wicket-keeper who also leads the team, a left-arm orthodox spin-bowling all-rounder, an explosive opener and a fiery pacer, the Capitals well and truly covered their bases with their retentions.
Laying the Foundation for the Future
In the IPL 2022 player auctions earlier this year, Delhi Capitals assembled a powerful squad with a good blend of youth and experience.
The team first acquired the services of Australian opener David Warner, an IPL veteran who has topped the run-charts in IPL thrice - the most by any player in the history of the league. With fellow Aussie Mitchell Marsh, the Capitals now have both the Player of the Tournament and Player of the Final from the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Meanwhile, the signing of Rovman Powell has added more firepower to Delhi’s already powerful middle-order. The Jamaican has been in brutal form lately, so much so that even Rishabh Pant heaped praise on him at a press conference during India’s bilateral series against West Indies.
"I think he (Rovman Powell) was hitting bullets out there. At the back of my mind, I was happy also because he is going to play for Delhi Capitals,” Pant said.
Furthermore, the team also invested in India’s Under-19 World Cup-winning captain and local boy Yash Dhull, who has been part of DC’s Bal Bhavan Academy for the last eight years besides also signing Vicky Ostwal, who was the highest wicket-taker for India in the recently concluded Under-19 World Cup.
On the pace bowling front, Delhi Capitals backed Shardul Thakur when they bought him for a whopping sum of INR 10.75 crore in the auction. The ‘Lord’ as Thakur is popularly known, has grown in stature over the last few years and is capable of being a handy batter lower down the order.
To add variety to the attack, Delhi signed Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman, who is renowned for his cutters and pace variations. Another left-arm pacer who can complement Mustafizur is young Chetan Sakariya who will be eager to kick on and make an impact following his national team debut for India against Sri Lanka last year. The spin department comprises Indian international Kuldeep Yadav who will have the company of Axar Patel, leg-spinner Pravin Dubey and local lad Lalit Yadav to make up Delhi’s domestic spin department.
The likes of Mandeep Singh, Ripal Patel, Sarfaraz Khan and Ashwin Hebbar add more Indian firepower with the bat, while Khaleel Ahmed and Kamlesh Nagarkoti add variety and pace to our bowling attack.
The Prep Before the Test
Ahead of the IPL 2022 season, captain Rishabh Pant looked confident of the squad at his disposal and stressed on the importance of role clarity for each player.
“Mostly the practice sessions, especially for the new players, is to understand what they require, we are having discussions at an individual level with them to know where we look to play them in the match.”
And why wouldn’t the skipper look confident? Despite missing the likes of Warner and Marsh for the first few games, the squad looks formidable with everyone in good touch and putting in the hard yards. Let’s start with the skipper himself, he’s been doing what he does best at training - depositing the white Kookaburra into the stands.
Powell Power promises a lot, and players and fans alike will wait with bated breath to see what he has in store for us.
Our most expensive buy from the mega auction, Shardul Thakur too is busy doing things he got his nickname for.
The rest of the squad too has been prepping hard under the watchful eyes of our coaches. With an overall balanced squad covering all departments, come March 27th, Delhi Capitals will look to put their best foot forward in their quest to bring an end to their wait for the coveted IPL trophy.
Delhi Capitals Squad for IPL 2022
Batters: Prithvi Shaw (retained), David Warner, Yash Dhull, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Ashwin Hebbar
Bowlers: Anrich Nortje (retained), Mustafizur Rahman, Kuldeep Yadav, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Khaleel Ahmed, Chetan Sakariya, Lungi Ngidi, Vicky Ostwal
All-rounders: Axar Patel (retained), Mitchell Marsh, Rovman Powell, Shardul Thakur, Lalit Yadav, Ripal Patel, Pravin Dubey
Wicket-keepers: Rishabh Pant (retained), Tim Seifert, KS Bharat
Delhi Capitals Fixtures for IPL 2022
|
Day, Date |
Match |
Time (IST) |
Venue |
|
Sunday, March 27 |
Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians |
3:30 PM |
Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai |
|
Saturday, April 2 |
Gujarat Titans vs Delhi Capitals |
7:30 PM |
MCA Stadium, Pune |
|
Thursday, April 7 |
Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals |
7:30 PM |
Dr DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai |
|
Sunday, April 10 |
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals |
3:30 PM |
Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai |
|
Saturday, April 16 |
Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore |
7:30 PM |
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
|
Wednesday, April 20 |
Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings |
7:30 PM |
MCA Stadium, Pune |
|
Friday, April 22 |
Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals |
7:30 PM |
MCA Stadium, Pune |
|
Thursday, April 28 |
Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders |
7:30 PM |
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
|
Sunday, May 1 |
Delhi Capitals vs Lucknow Super Giants |
3:30 PM |
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
|
Thursday, May 5 |
Delhi Capitals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad |
7:30 PM |
Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai |
|
Sunday, May 8 |
Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals |
7:30 PM |
Dr DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai |
|
Wednesday, May 11 |
Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals |
7:30 PM |
Dr DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai |
|
Monday, May 16 |
Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals |
7:30 PM |
Dr DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai |
|
Saturday, May 21 |
Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals |
7:30 PM |
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
