Delhi Capitals who were earlier known as Delhi Daredevils are the only franchise from the original eight franchises to have not reached the Finals even once in this history of the IPL. They have had some great teams and great players but they have never managed to play the Final. One of the main reasons for their poor performance is the constant chopping and changing of teams. They have released players who have gone on to become superstars of this format. They have released so many great players that a proper playing XI can be made who can take on the field. So, let’s have a look at the strongest playing XI from the list of players released by the Delhi franchise.
Openers – David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan
David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan worked like a dream opening combination for Sunrisers Hyderabad but it could have been for Delhi Capitals if they wouldn’t have released both these players. David Warner was a part of the Delhi franchise in the initial years where he used to open the batting with Virender Sehwag. Dhawan as well played in the first season for Delhi. Delhi completely revamped their squad in 2010 before a fresh auction and that’s when they let go of Warner. Warner is one of the finest opening batsmen in the IPL and now it seems as if they missed a big opportunity to not retain him. DC managed to get back Dhawan and his inclusion is reaping rewards for them.
Middle-order – Mayank Agarwal, AB De Villiers, Dinesh Karthik and Abhishek Sharma
Can you imagine, David Warner and AB De Villiers in the same IPL team with a great finisher in Dinesh Karthik? Delhi had all these players but they somehow manage to release them. Agarwal used to open the batting for Delhi in the years 2014-2016 but he was in and out of the team. ABD and Dinesh Karthik were part of the Delhi franchise from 2008-2010 but then both of them were released before the fresh auction. Along with Abhishek Sharma, this could have been a great middle-order for any team.
All-rounders – Andre Russell, Chris Morris and Rahul Tewatia
The XI just keeps getting better with the inclusion of Andre Russell. Warner to open the batting, ABD in the middle-order, and then Andre Russell to finish off the innings. There won’t be many better combinations than this one. Add to that the likes of Chris Morris and Rahul Tewatia who are having a really good season this IPL. The Delhi franchise will be thinking about these missed opportunities whenever they see these players doing well. All of these all-rounders are capable of delivering with the bat and the ball, so it would have been a perfect combination for any franchise.
Bowlers – Shahbaz Nadeem, Mohammad Shami
You need a variety of spin bowlers and pacers in your team and these two will provide that. Nadeem is one of those bowlers who can bowl in the powerplay and the middle-overs. Mohammad Shami is one of the best bowlers with the new ball in hand and we saw his death bowling skills in that Super Over against Mumbai Indians. Shami is having a dream IPL season as he has picked up 20 wickets in 12 games so far.
This playing XI has all the bases covered with their batting and bowling as they have six bowling options and batting up till No.9.
