KL Rahul is set to miss the first few matches in the IPL 2025, as he and his wife Athiya Shetty will be expecting their first baby. For the same reason, Axar Patel was named the skipper of the Delhi Capitals. It could be a loss for DC, considering Rahul could’ve scored a lot of runs for them. Moreover, he could’ve also become their captain. It fills a void in the top order of the 2020 runner-ups, which cannot be filled easily.
DC had a good auction before the 2025 season. Thankfully, they had a lot of bases covered, including the batting prowess at the top. In the absence of the star batter, DC has some options to try in the top order. While Faf Du Plessis is likely to start, DC might need an Indian opener to bat alongside him for the sake of the team’s balance. They also have a good overseas opener, who did well for them in 2024.
Here are the three players who could play as DC’s opener in Rahul’s absence in the IPL 2025 –
Sameer Rizvi
Sameer Rizvi is a natural top order batter. He played at number 3 for his domestic team in the Uttar Pradesh Premier League which turned out to be his breakout tournament before getting picked for CSK in the IPL 2024. However, CSK played him in the middle order on slow tracks of Chennai, which didn’t help his cause. He can be used better by Delhi Capitals.
Being a natural top order batter, Rizvi can go bonkers at the top. For a youngster like him, there aren’t huge expectations, additionally due to the drop in his price tag. Conditions and dimensions in Delhi are favorable for batting, which could further help his style of batting. Given how DC has operated as a franchise, one shouldn’t be surprised if the 20-year-old opens for them.
Abhishek Porel
Speaking of youngsters, DC has a young player in Abhishek Porel, who did well for them in the IPL 2024. After using him as a finisher in the IPL 2023, DC promoted the youngster up the order the following season. It helped them, as Porel played some good knocks. As David Warner and Mitchell Marsh lost their form, Porel and Jake Fraser-McGurk opened for DC.
Abhishek is young and fearless. He can bat aggressively at the top and can make a good use of powerplay overs. At Arun Jaitley Stadium, sky is the only limit. DC needs an aggressive opener like Abhishek to make the most of the flattest surface of the league. Not to forget, he can be handy as a wicketkeeper, which would make him a like-to-like replacement of KL.
Jake Fraser-McGurk
DC retained Jake Fraser-McGurk, who was explosive for them at the top in the IPL 2024. The emerging batter single handedly changed the complexion of the game from his end. DC’s matches are mostly in Delhi, whose wicket, conditions, and dimensions suit Jake’s style of batting. Though he didn’t have a good time playing for Australia, McGurk can be trusted by DC.
IPL suits McGurk’s style of batting. The emerging player can smash some of the best bowlers in the world for fun. All he needs is some backing, which could prove to be great for the team. The only aspect that might stop JFM from playing in the XI could be him being an overseas player, which could lead to a totally different approach in the Playing XI/12 of the 2020 runner-ups.
Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.