IPL: Delhi Capitals (DC) all-time greatest XI in league history

Virender Sehwag Delhi Daredevils. (Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images)

Delhi Capitals (DC) are the only franchise along with Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore, who are active in the Indian Premier League (IPL), since the first season but failed to win the trophy. In their 16-year history, they played superb cricket in some seasons but couldn’t bring cheers to their team’s fans by winning the trophy. In 2020, they qualified for the final and came close to winning the title but Mumbai Indians (MI) shattered their dream with a convincing five-wicket victory.

In these years, DC fans didn’t see their side winning the coveted trophy for once but witnessed several quality performances from some distinguished players in their team’s jersey. Noting those extraordinary performances, it’s imperative to prepare Delhi’s all-time greatest XI.

Here is Delhi Capitals’ all-time best XI

1. Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The former India opener was associated with Delhi Capitals (DC) from 2008 to 2013. For the initial two seasons, the fierce opener was also the skipper of the team. In the inaugural IPL season, Sehwag looked in amazing touch with his bat. Along with Gautam Gambhir, he did his job of delivering ferocious starts to the team efficiently.

Gambhir ended up as the leading run-scorer in the season while Sehwag also gave tough competition to his partner, notching up 406 runs in 14 matches at a stellar strike rate of 184.54. In 2013, DC released Sehwag and with this move, the legendary opener’s six-year stint with the franchise ended. Appearing in 86 games for DC in six seasons, Sehwag accumulated 2382 runs in 86 matches at a strike rate of 158.37.

Also Check: DC Team 2024 Players List

2. David Warner

David Warner Delhi Capitals. (Photo Source: ARUN SANKAR/AFP via Getty Images)

David Warner returned to Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2022 after serving Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) as captain for seven years. In 2023, he also captained DC but couldn’t deliver the desired results to the team. In 2009, the Australia left-handed batter kicked off his IPL career in a DC jersey. 

In 2010, he played an unbeaten 107-run knock against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium (then Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium) and became the second DC batter to hit a century in the cash-rich league. In his 15-year IPL career, he has given seven seasons to Delhi and has scored 2404 runs in 83 contests at a strike rate of 135.43. 

3. Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir of Delhi Daredevils. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Before playing for KKR in 2011, Gautam Gambhir was a part of DC from 2008 to 2010. In the maiden IPL season in 2008, the southpaw looked sensational with his bat and ended up as the second-leading run-scorer with 534 runs in 14 matches at an average of 41.07 and a strike rate of 140.89.

In 2018, Gambhir retired from all forms of cricket including IPL as well. After parting ways with KKR in 2017, the 2007 T20 World Cup champion rejoined DC in 2018 but couldn’t do his best. The stylish left-handed batter played  50 matches for DC in his IPL career and scored 1200 runs at a strike rate of 120.24. 

Also Check: IPL 2024: Strongest Playing XI for Delhi Capitals (DC)

4. Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper)

Rishabh Pant. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

Rishabh Pant has been serving DC as a skipper since 2021 and he has delivered effective results to the team with his leadership skills. Back in 2016, he made his IPL debut in DC colours after his fine batting display for India in the 2016 Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh. In 2018, DC had a rough season but Pant showcased his batting mettle and received appreciation from former cricketers and avid fans of the sport. 

With 684 runs in 14 games at an exceptional strike rate of 173.60, he ended up as the second-leading run-getter in the competition. In his seven-year IPL career, he has scored 2838 runs thus far, with a hundred and 15 fifties in 98 matches. These numbers have also made him the highest run-scorer for Capitals.

5. Shreyas Iyer (Captain)

Shreyas Iyer plays a shot. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Shreyas Iyer has been leading KKR since 2022 but back in 2015, it was DC that recognised his talent and made him a part of their side. The right-handed batter played 87 matches for DC from 2015 to 2021 and scored 2375 runs at a strike rate of 123.95. In 2018, Iyer became Delhi skipper midway after Gautam Gambhir’s dismal performance as skipper and batter.

In 2019, he led DC to their first playoffs after seven years. It was his leadership skills that helped the Capitals qualify for the final of the tournament for the first time. Although Delhi failed to win the coveted trophy, Iyer’s captaincy talent was hailed. Along with captaincy, he also looked impressive as a batter in that season. Racking up 519 runs with three fifties in 17 matches, he concluded the competition as the fourth-highest run-scorer. 

6. Marcus Stoinis

Marcus Stonis DC. (Photo Source: Twitter/ICC)

Marcus Stoinis was an essential member of DC in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. In the 2020 IPL auction, Delhi snapped up the Aussie all-rounder for INR 4.8 crore and he justified his amount with his decent performance in the competition played ahead. With the bat, he smashed 352 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 148.52 while as a bowler, he took 13 wickets at an economy of 9.53.

In 2021, he couldn’t continue his previous form which became the reason for his ouster from the 2023 DC squad. Discussing his overall numbers for the Capitals, he racked up 441 runs and 15 wickets in 27 contests. 

Also Check: IPL 2024 Delhi Capitals (DC) SWOT Analysis

7. Axar Patel

Axar Patel. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Axar Patel joined DC in 2019 and since then, he has delivered several match-winning innings to the team with both bat and ball. In 2021, he looked at his best with the ball. Along with the veteran Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar reinforced DC’s spin department efficiently. Picking up 15 wickets in 12 matches at a thrifty economy of 6.65, he played his part well.

The slow-left-arm spinner is the fifth-most successful bowler for DC with 51 wickets in 68 games at an economy of 6.95. As a batter, his batting numbers are decent as he has scored 732 runs in 50 innings at a strike rate of 135.05.

8. Amit Mishra

Amit Mishra. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Amit Mishra has played a lot of cricket for DC in his massive IPL career. In the first three seasons, he represented Delhi and also became the highest wicket-taker for the team in the 2010 instalment of the tournament. Playing the third IPL edition for DC, he bagged 17 wickets in 14 matches at an economy of 6.84 and ended up as the second-most successful bowler in the season.

Despite witnessing his sensational bowling display in 2010, DC released Mishra before the 2011 auction. In 2015, the leggie made a comeback in DC and delivered decent bowling numbers to the team in a few seasons. The franchise snapped ties with Mishra after the 2021 season as the spin wizard failed to showcase his best in 2020 and 2021.

After going unsold in 2022, Mishra made a comeback in the cash-rich tournament in 2023 and this time, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) reserved his services. Talking about his bowling record for DC, the veteran is the only player who showed up in more than 100 matches for the franchise. Appearing in 103 games for Delhi, he took 110 wickets at an economy of 7.37 and is also the bowler with the most wickets for the side. 

9. Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav DC. (Photo Source: Mohd Zakir/ Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

Umesh Yadav began his IPL career in 2010 with DC. Despite witnessing his struggle in the initial two seasons, Delhi didn’t lose faith in Umesh and continued with him in the fifth IPL edition. In 2012, the pacer looked in amazing touch with the ball and helped the Capitals qualify for the playoffs. With 19 wickets in 17 matches at an economy of 7.42, he ended up as the fourth-leading wicket-taker. 

In 2013, DC concluded the season at the bottom of the points table with only three wins off 16 games but Umesh again looked fine with the ball. Scalping 16 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 8.78, he was the most successful bowler for DC in that year. After the 2013 season, DC ended the contract with Umesh. In the four-year stint with DC, Umesh claimed 47 wickets in 51 matches at an economy of 7.93. 

10. Morne Morkel

Morne Morkel DC. (Photo Source: Twitter)

South Africa paceman Morne Morkel served DC from 2011 to 2013 and during those three seasons, he spearheaded the team’s pace attack exceptionally. In 2012, Capitals topped the points table with 11 off 16 wins and concluded their journey in the playoffs.

Morkel played a vital role in Delhi’s memorable campaign. The Protea grabbed 25 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 7.19 and became the recipient of the Purple Cap. Following the 2013 season, Morkel didn’t feature in DC’s retention list following which his association with the franchise ended. The lanky speedster played 41 games for DC and got 51 wickets at an economy of 7.52.

11. Kagiso Rabada

in his Kagiso Rabada of Delhi Daredevils. (Photo: Twitter)

Another Protea pacer Kagiso Rabada also did a commendable job for DC. The speedster was associated with Delhi for four years from 2017 to 2021 and clinched 76 wickets in 50 matches at an economy of 8.21. In 2019, DC came up with their revamped version, and Rabada was one of the stalwarts who made the season decent for the Capitals in their new form.

He took 25 wickets in 12 games at an economy of 7.82 and ended up as the second-highest wicket-taker. In 2020, he showed his extraordinary side with the ball again and became the first DC player to win the Purple Cap. This time, he got 30 wickets in 17 matches at an economy of 8.34. 

Also Check: IPL 2024 DC Retained and Released Players List