Delhi Capitals at a disadvantage as IPL nears resumption?

After a brief suspension, the 2025 Indian Premier League will resume from Saturday, May 17th, with the first game being played at the Chinnaswamy Stadium between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders. The tournament will then continue its normal course, as the rest of the playoff matches would be first completed, with the final now being pushed to June 3rd. 

The resumption of the IPL has left many teams in a limbo, with franchises unsure about the availability of a few of their players. A few players have already expressed their unavailability for the remainder of the season, while some are expected to be called up for national duty. The South Africa and England boards have already asked for their players to be released by the end of May, as they gear up for their International challenges. 

One team that is in particular going to be disadvantaged by these changing dynamics of the IPL is Delhi Capitals. They will be missing many of their overseas players for the remainder of the IPL, and with the pool for replacement players being fairly limited due to International commitments and the ongoing PSL, things are looking a bit bleak for Axar Patel and co. 

Missing plenty of players

Delhi Capitals were dealt a hammer blow earlier this morning as fast bowler Mitchell Starc confirmed that he won’t be available for the remainder of the IPL. The talismanic pacer has been Delhi’s leading wicket taker this season with 14 wickets in 11 matches. He picked a fifer against SRH and bowled a clutch Super Over against Rajasthan Royals in two memorable wins for Delhi this season. 

South African Donovan Ferreira has also pulled out of the competition, citing personal reasons. The attacking wicketkeeper batter was picked primarily as a backup by Delhi Capitals, and would have surely been crucial in this phase with a few of their regulars unavailable. With Ferreira out, Delhi’s International cadre looks thin. 

Jake Fraser-McGurk is another batter who has opted out of the remainder of the 2025 Indian Premier League. Delhi splashed the cash for the hard-hitting opener from Australia and gave him an extended run in the team despite some paltry scores. Fraser-McGurk’s absence would hurt Delhi Capitals, as they try to make a late push for the playoffs. 

Replacements and who’s there for DC?

So far, Delhi Capitals have officially only confirmed the acquisition of Mustafizur Rahman, who comes in as a replacement for Jake Fraser-McGurk. The left-arm seamer has acquired an NOC from the Bangladesh Cricket Board to join the franchise till the playoffs. Rahman, though, won’t be available if DC go further in the competition as Bangladesh are set to play an away series against Pakistan. 

Tristan Stubbs will be available for the Capitals, but if Delhi qualify for the playoffs, he may have to return for national duty ahead of the World Test Championship final. Afghan opener Sediqullah Atal has also been roped in as a replacement for Harry Brook, who pulled out before the competition started. Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera and vice-captain Faf du Plessis are expected to be available for the whole of the tournament, along with the entire Indian contingent. 

Faltering form and road ahead

Delhi Capitals were the team in form when the season began, but have since suffered a significant slump in form. They have won just one of their last six matches in the IPL, suffering three losses at home in that period. They were lucky to have a washout against Sunrisers Hyderabad, after they got an under-par score in the first innings. Delhi were also fortunate to have the game against PBKS suspended, as Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh had got the hosts to a flier. 

Next for Delhi is a game against Gujarat Titans at home, followed by away games against Mumbai and Punjab. Axar Patel’s side need to win all three games to give them the best chance of qualifying. Winning all three would pretty much guarantee them qualification since they are against direct rivals for the playoffs. Delhi Capitals are a corner tiger at this moment, with form and player availability going against them, but count them out at your peril.