Delhi Capitals (DC) co-owner Parth Jindal has highlighted the key roles that KL Rahul and Axar Patel will play in the upcoming IPL season, emphasizing their importance as anchors in a batting line-up filled with explosive power hitters. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Jindal explained that the duo will provide stability, allowing players like Harry Brook, Tristan Stubbs, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Ashutosh Sharma to play freely.
“In terms of responsibility, KL and Axar are going to play bigger roles in the batting. KL can hold one end steady, especially on tough wickets, while Axar has been consistent for us since 2019. They will guide the younger players and navigate challenging situations, particularly on spin-friendly tracks,” Jindal said.
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KL Rahul, who joined DC for ₹14 crores in the recent auction after a bidding war with Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, brings versatility as an opener, captain, and wicketkeeper-batter. Jindal expressed confidence in Rahul’s ability to handle pressure and adapt to varying conditions.
Axar Patel, retained for his reliable performances, is expected to complement Rahul in anchoring the batting line-up, especially on spin-heavy “dust bowls” anticipated during the tournament.
The Capitals have assembled a formidable batting unit with big hitters like Harry Brook and Tristan Stubbs. Jindal hinted at high-scoring games at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, saying, “The batting looks really strong, and scores of 230 or 240 could be par for us at home.”
Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, signed for ₹11.75 crores, will spearhead DC’s bowling attack. Jindal praised Starc’s “winning mentality” and his ability to inspire young bowlers like Harshit Rana. “Starc isn’t just a World Cup winner; he also won the IPL last season. He brings experience, leadership, and versatility with the bat and ball,” Jindal noted.
Jindal also spoke about the team’s depth in the bowling department, highlighting players like T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar, Mohit Sharma, and Dushmantha Chameera. “Natarajan’s yorkers and slower-ball bouncers make him a key asset. Mohit Sharma adds experience with his death-over skills, while Chameera provides backup for any fast-bowling contingencies,” he added.
Delhi Capitals squad:
Batters: Jake Fraser-McGurk (RTM), Harry Brook, Tristan Stubbs (retained), Faf du Plessis, Karun Nair
Wicketkeepers: KL Rahul, Abishek Porel (retained), Donovan Ferreria
Allrounders: Axar Patel (spin; retained), Ashutosh Sharma (spin), Sameer Rizvi (spin), Darshan Nalkande (pace), Vipraj Nigam (spin), Ajay Mandal (spin), Manvanth Kumar (pace), Tripurana Vijay (spin), Madhav Tiwari (pace)
Spinners: Kuldeep Yadav (retained)
Fast bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Mukesh Kumar, T Natarajan, Mohit Sharma, Dushmantha Chameera.
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