A Rocky Start for DC – Missing Rahul, Missing Direction?
The Delhi Capitals (DC) have barely begun their IPL 2025 campaign, yet they’re already grappling with major setbacks. First, the shock withdrawal of Harry Brook left a gaping hole in their middle order. Now, KL Rahul—one of their marquee signings—is expected to miss the first two matches as he awaits the birth of his first child.
While personal milestones are important, DC now faces a frustrating reality: their high-profile acquisitions are either unavailable or absent indefinitely. For a team already struggling with consistency in past seasons, this chaotic start is hardly reassuring.
Did DC Make a Costly Gamble on KL Rahul?
Rahul was snapped up for ₹12 crore after being released by the Lucknow Super Giants. Given his experience, he was widely expected to be DC’s stabilizer in the batting lineup. However, the decision to spend big on Rahul—who has battled injuries and inconsistent form in recent years—was always a risk.
Now, with Rahul missing crucial early games, DC is forced to rethink its lineup just days before the tournament begins. This raises the question: should they have planned their squad better, knowing that Rahul’s availability was never a certainty?
Axar Patel: A Captain by Default?
The captaincy situation at DC has been just as messy. With Rishabh Pant leaving for LSG in a record ₹27 crore deal, the leadership vacuum was evident. While Rahul was a strong contender for the role, his absence forced the franchise to hand the reins to Axar Patel.
Axar is a seasoned campaigner, but is he truly captaincy material? More importantly, would DC have preferred Rahul as their long-term leader if he were fully available?
And let’s not forget the new vice-captain, Faf du Plessis—a proven leader with years of experience. Why wasn’t he the first choice for the captaincy? These decisions reflect a lack of clarity in DC’s long-term vision.
A Lineup in Crisis – Who Steps Up?
With Brook gone and Rahul missing at least two games, DC’s batting order suddenly looks shaky. While the team still boasts young talent, replacing two top-tier batters is no easy task. Their opening match against LSG on March 24 in Visakhapatnam is already looking like an uphill battle.
The franchise is now pinning its hopes on Axar, Faf, and young Indian talents to step up. But let’s be real—without a settled core, DC’s start to IPL 2025 could be disastrous.
Poor Planning or Just Bad Luck?
Delhi Capitals are no strangers to underwhelming seasons, and their shaky start to 2025 already hints at another frustrating campaign. Whether it’s poor recruitment strategy or sheer misfortune, the reality is this: DC is in trouble before a single ball has been bowled.
If they don’t find quick fixes for their glaring gaps, this season could spiral into yet another disappointing chapter for a franchise still chasing its first IPL trophy.