IPL 2022: Delhi Capitals Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Cheatsheet, Strongest Playing XI, Squad Depth and Key Players
A look at the team combinations, depth chart, recent form and the fantasy potential of key players from the Delhi Capitals camp ahead of IPL 2022.
Coach: Ricky Ponting
Captain: Rishabh Pant
IPL 2021 Finish: Qualifier 2 Exit
Delhi Capitals Team Composition & Combinations for IPL 2022
Delhi Capitals have assembled a kick-ass batting unit at the auction comprising of David Warner and Prithvi Shaw at the top followed by the in-form Mitchell Marsh and Sarfaraz Khan, with Rishabh Pant and Rovman Powell to follow them in the middle-order. But the same cannot be said about their bowling attack especially after the standards they’ve set in the last couple of seasons. Anrich Nortje will be the leader of their bowling attack with pacers Shardul Thakur and one out of Khaleel Ahmed or Chetan Sakariya for assistance. The spin attack will consist of Axar Patel and one out of the two Yadavs, Lalit and Kuldeep.
The second spinner’s slot
Axar Patel is the first choice spinner for DC after being retained by them ahead of the auction. For the second spinner’s slot, DC has a few options in Kuldeep Yadav, Lalit Yadav and Pravin Dubey with the real competition between the former two. Both Kuldeep and Lalit complement Axar well by taking the ball away from the left-hander.
Lalit is the lesser spinner out of the two but offers batting depth while Kuldeep has experience on his side. Ideally DC would start with Kuldeep despite him going through a tough phase in his career but if they find his performances inadequate they might consider shifting to Lalit.
The question around Nortje’s fitness
DC decided to let go of Rabada, a premium pacer since they had another high quality pacer to lead the attack in Nortje who has performed exceedingly well for them in the past couple of seasons. But Nortje is still recovering from the hip injury he sustained during the T20 World Cup and hasn’t played a single match in 4 months. He’s likely to miss a few games at the start for DC and will be replaced by either one of Mustafizur or Ngidi. But it remains to be seen if he can be effective once he returns.
Overseas players unavailability
Delhi Capitals filled only seven out of the eight overseas slots at the auction and have found themselves in a fix as their first-choice overseas players Warner, Marsh and Nortje will miss the initial few matches. This would mean all the overseas backups are guaranteed a spot at the start.
Delhi Capitals Fantasy Cricket Cheat Sheet for IPL 2022
STUD
Players who have proven themselves to be top-scoring fantasy players and are popular.
David Warner – Any calls of Warner being finished in the last IPL were put to rest after his tournament winning performances for Australia at the T20 World Cup. Even when he hit a rough patch in 2021, he averaged 33 Dream11 points per game with the bat. At DC, he’s likely to enjoy the company of P Shaw who can take on pace in the Powerplay.
Note – He’ll miss the first two games for DC.
Rishabh Pant – Just like Warner, the last couple of seasons saw only average performances from the wicket-keeper batter. But he has grown in confidence ever since his exploits in the Border-Gavaskar trophy in 2021 and has cemented his place in all formats for India. He has been in terrific form recently and averages 44 Dream11 batting points per game in the IPL since 2018. His wicket-keeping points are a bonus.
BANKERS
The players who provide good value for their credits and can be banked upon for consistent returns.
Mitchell Marsh – His stocks as a T20 player has risen ever since his promotion to the No.3 role. Since 2020 he averages 40 and strikes at 145 with the bat and is expected to play at the No.3 spot for DC. But Ponting might consider moving him down the order like he did with Stoinis in 2020 to accommodate Sarfaraz Khan at the top which will reduce his fantasy potential. In all T20s since 2018, he averages 35 Dream11 batting points.
Note – He’ll miss the first three games for DC.
Shardul Thakur – DC has shelled out 10 crores to buy him at the auction mainly due to his ability to bat. He’s likely to be the second choice pace bowling option at the death where wickets come cheap and his batting adds in for a good fantasy package. Since 2018, he averages 29 bowling points per game in all T20s.
RISKY BUSINESS
The players who carry an element of risk with them which may be due to bad form, injury, lack of game time, etc……
Prithvi Shaw – He started strong with the bat during the Indian leg of the IPL last year after making some technical adjustments to his game but faded out during the UAE leg. Ideally he should perform well this year with the IPL being held at Mumbai, his hometown but his recent form in the India A and domestic matches aren’t promising. He averages 34 Dream11 batting points per game in the IPL since 2018.
Anrich Nortje – As discussed in the team combinations section, his fitness is a big question mark which makes him a risky pick. But if he’s fit and firing he’s one of the top fantasy picks from the DC team since he averages 40 Dream11 bowling points in the IPL.
Rovman Powell – He’s in good form with the bat as his T20I performances against England and India suggests, but at DC his game-time would be less considering the solidity of their top order and his role of a pace power-hitter at No.6. Since 2018, he averages 27 batting points per game in all T20s.
SLEEPER
The players who provide decent enough value but is undervalued or is just not a well-known player.
Sarfaraz Khan – This could be a breakthrough season for him considering his tremendous form with the bat in the domestic games. DC are likely to bat him up the order mostly at No.4 which makes him a good differential buy. Since 2018 IPL, he averages only 21 Dream11 batting points per game which is likely to increase this season.
Kuldeep Yadav – As discussed in the team combinations section, he’s the first-choice option for the second spinner slot in the DC line-up. If he manages to get over his bad phase and bowls well he could be a good differential pick. Since 2018 IPL, he averages only 18 bowling points per game which is too low.
TRAP
The players who seem like good buys, but won’t score enough points to justify their credits or hype.
Axar Patel – He’s a quality T20 spin bowler as his T20 career economy rate of 6.8 suggests but he’s not a top fantasy pick considering the shortage of wickets from his side. He lacks the power-hitting game to succeed at No.7 thus reducing his fantasy value with the bat. Since 2018 IPL, he averages only 20 Dream11 bowling points per game and 9 Dream11 batting points per game.
Khaleel Ahmad – He had a good Vijay Hazare trophy with the ball and might seem like a decent pick but his role at DC will be limited to new-ball bowling and in the middle overs where wickets are hard to come by. He has a Dream11 bowling points average of 34 since 2018 IPL.
Opponent Fantasy Value:
Every team is vulnerable to a certain batting type or a bowler type depending on their setup. For example, a batting unit full of right-handers will be vulnerable against left-arm spinners and wristspinners or a bowling attack void of any quality new-ball bowlers will leak runs in the Powerplay and allow the openers to score freely. These vulnerabilities of the team allows certain player types from opponent sides to perform freely against them which can be used to pick those player types from the opponent side in your fantasy team. As far as Delhi Capitals are concerned, you can pick the player types listed below from the opponent side if those player types are available.
- Anchors who can smoke pace
- Pace Power Hitters at the death