Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025: Team, key players, and season outlook

Delhi Capitals, formerly known as Delhi Daredevils, have had an eventful journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since its inception. The team, despite showing great promise in various seasons, has often failed to clinch the coveted IPL title.

Heading into the 2025 season, the Capitals, led by Axar Patel and coached by Hemang Badani, are gearing up for a fresh campaign in their pursuit of the ultimate glory. Their first match in IPL 2025 is scheduled for March 24 against Lucknow Super Giants at Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

This could be the year that finally sees Delhi live up to its potential.

Delhi Capitals Squad

• KL Rahul
• Jake Fraser-McGurk (OP)
• Karun Nair
• Faf du Plessis (OP)
• Donovan Ferreira (OP)
• Abishek Porel
• Tristan Stubbs (OP)
• Sameer Rizvi
• Ashutosh Sharma
• Darshan Nalkande
• Vipraj Nigam
• Ajay Mandal
• Manvanth Kumar
• Tripurana Vijay
• Madhav Tiwari
• Axar Patel
• Dushmantha Chameera
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Mitchell Starc
• Mohit Sharma
• Mukesh Kumar
• T Natarajan
• Harry Brook

A rocky start

Delhi Capitals' IPL journey began with a bit of a mixed bag.

In their debut season in 2008, they finished a commendable fourth, making it to the semi-finals. The next year, they enjoyed another strong run, reaching the semi-finals once again, and were one of the top contenders. However, they couldn’t break through and continued to struggle in subsequent seasons.

Delhi experienced both highs and lows throughout the early years, finishing third in 2012 after topping the league stage. This was a high point for the franchise, as it showcased their potential to make a deep run in the tournament.

However, they were unable to make it past the playoffs, losing to Kolkata Knight Riders in the eliminator. This inconsistency would be a recurring theme for Delhi in the following years, and they continued to struggle in key moments.

The rebranding

In December 2018, the franchise underwent a significant transformation and was rebranded as Delhi Capitals. This change of identity appeared to bring a new sense of optimism.

The team made it to the playoffs in 2019, finishing third and showing strong potential. The following year, 2020, marked a milestone for the team as they made their first-ever appearance in the final, only to fall short against Mumbai Indians.

Despite their heartbreaking loss in the title clash, 2020 marked a turning point, as the Capitals showed they were serious contenders.

In 2021, Delhi finished top of the league table once again, which seemed to solidify their status as one of the IPL’s strongest teams. Unfortunately, they faltered in the playoffs, falling short yet again. While they had a strong squad, Delhi struggled with consistency when it mattered most.

A consistent yet unfulfilled franchise

Delhi Capitals have demonstrated that they have the potential to be IPL champions, but their inability to deliver in high-pressure situations has hindered their chances.

In 2023, they faced a major setback, finishing near the bottom of the table. Injuries, including a significant one to Rishabh Pant, played a key role in their downfall. Pant’s absence left a massive void in the team’s leadership and batting, and the Capitals were unable to recover after a poor start.

Despite efforts from veteran David Warner and promising young talents, Delhi’s season ended in disappointment.

In 2022, Delhi came close to securing a playoff spot, finishing fifth in the league. With strong performances from Warner, Prithvi Shaw, and Mitchell Marsh, along with an impressive bowling attack, Delhi looked like they could make a serious push for the title.

However, a late defeat in their final league match to Mumbai Indians dashed their hopes of progressing further. Despite being on the cusp of success, they couldn’t capitalize when it counted.

IPL 2025: A fresh start

As Delhi Capitals prepare for IPL 2025, the expectations are high. With a new leader in Axar Patel and coach Hemang Badani at the helm, they aim to build on the lessons learned from past seasons. The 2025 squad has a good mix of youth and experience, with star players like David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, and Mitchell Marsh leading the charge.

The team will be looking to start strong and finally reach the pinnacle of IPL glory.

The presence of key players like Kuldeep Yadav, Anrich Nortje, and Rishabh Pant (who returns from injury) ensures that Delhi has the firepower in both their batting and bowling departments.

The squad looks well-balanced, and their performance in the league stage will be crucial for a successful playoff run. With a fresh mindset, they are determined to make 2025 the year they go all the way.

Season-by-Season breakdown

• 2024 – Sixth: Finished in the bottom half with 7 wins out of 14. Key performances from Jake Fraser-McGurk (330 runs) and Rishabh Pant (446 runs). David Warner had a disappointing final season.
• 2023 – Ninth: Struggled throughout the season with only 5 wins from 14 matches. Injuries to Rishabh Pant impacted the team’s performance.
• 2022 – Fifth: Finished just outside the playoffs with 7 wins from 14 matches. A key loss to Mumbai Indians in the final league game cost them a spot in the top four.
• 2021 – Third: Finished top of the league with 10 wins out of 16. Avesh Khan's standout bowling (24 wickets). Lost in the playoffs after a strong league stage.
• 2020 – Runners-up: Reached their first-ever final. Won 9 of 14 matches. Shikhar Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada, and Anrich Nortje shone. Lost to Mumbai Indians in the final.
• 2019 – Third: Finished third with 10 wins. Beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in the eliminator, but lost to Chennai Super Kings in the second qualifier.
• 2018 – Eighth: Struggled with only 5 wins from 14 matches. Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer were key performers but couldn’t lift the team.
• 2017 – Seventh: Finished with 6 wins from 14. Batting had some success, but consistency was missing.
• 2016 – Sixth: Finished with 7 wins from 14 matches. Strong individual performances but lacked cohesion.
• 2015 – Seventh: Only 5 wins from 14 matches. Failed to build momentum throughout the season.
• 2014 – Eighth: A disappointing season with just 2 wins from 14 matches. A string of poor performances led to a bottom finish.
• 2013 – Ninth: Worst season, finishing with 3 wins out of 16. Struggled to get consistent results.
• 2012 – Third: Top the league stage with 11 wins from 16. Lost in the playoffs to KKR and CSK after a strong league stage performance.
• 2011 – Tenth: Finished last with 4 wins from 14 matches. A poor season overall.
• 2010 – Fifth: Tied on points with others but poor net run rate kept them out of the playoffs. Finished with 7 wins out of 14.
• 2009 – Third: Finished third with 10 wins from 14 matches. Lost to Deccan Chargers in the semi-finals.
• 2008 – Fourth: In their debut season, they finished fourth with 7 wins from 14 matches. Lost to Rajasthan Royals in the semi-finals.