Delhi Capitals will sport a new look in terms of their batting line-up in IPL 2025. Led by KL Rahul, the team boasts of a unit that has the perfect blend of big hitters and classic stroke players. After retaining Tristian Stubbs and Abhishek Porel, DC went huge at the mega auction to build a formidable squad comprising of some stalwarts of the game, especially in the shortest format. Rahul was the team highest buy at Rs 14 cr, while the DC also managed to buy back Harry Brook and Jake-Fraser McGurk. Like many other teams, the Capitals too have a formidable looking batting unit, at least on paper.
DC best batting line-up for IPL 2025
- KL Rahul
- Jake-Fraser McGurk / Faf du Plessis
- Abhishek Porel
- Harry Brook
- Tristian Stubbs
- Ashutosh Sharma / Sameer Rizvi
- Axar Patel
Who will open with KL Rahul?
DC found a like-for-like replacement for Rishabh Pant in the form of KL Rahul. And in the Karnataka batter, the team also found a replacement for David Warner as an opener. The former LSG skipper is no stranger to batting in the top-order and has an impeccable record in the IPL. With 4683 runs to his name so far, Rahul averages 45.47 and has four centuries and 16 fifties to his name, making him one of the best batters in the business in IPL.
A major headache for DC will be to decide who will open with KL Rahul. The team has two choices – young Jake-Fraser McGurk and veteran Faf du Plessis. Both stars are quite literally the polar opposites in terms of their playing styles. The Aussie opener was an instant hit after making his debut in IPL 2024 and went on to amass 330 runs in that edition. His aggressive approach ensured that he kept David Warner out of the team and occupied the role of opener for Capitals. Meanwhile, DC managed to get a steal deal at the auction by roping in ex-RCB skipper Faf du Plessis for just Rs 2 cr. Once again, du Plessis is an experienced campaigner who has been opening the innings in the IPL for quite some time. His stints with RCB and CSK in the top-order make it quite evident that he is one of the best openers that the league has witnessed. DC will have to make a choice between du Plessis and McGurk to decide on who would be Rahul’s partner.
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
| KL Rahul | 132 | 4683 | 45.47 | 134.61 |
| Jake-Fraser McGurk | 9 | 330 | 36.67 | 234.04 |
| Faf du Plessis | 145 | 4571 | 35.99 | 136.37 |
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Abhishek Porel at 3, Harry Brook at 4
DC’s uncapped retention Abhishek Porel will most likely be their number three batter. Playing his first full season in IP 2024, the keeper-batter managed to score 327 runs in the edition. With two half-centuries to his name, Porel is easily one of DC’s most reliable batters and has also essayed the role of an impact player for the side.
Harry Brook is DC’s best choice for number 4. The England batter has been in red-hot form off late and will surely boost DC’s batting line-up with his firepower. He was supposed to play for the side in IPL 2024 as well but withdrew in the last minute citing personal reasons. Brook is no stranger to the IPL and has already scored a century while he played for SRH in IPL 2023.
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
| Abhishek Porel | 18 | 360 | 25.71 | 152.54 |
| Harry Brook | 11 | 190 | 17.27 | 125 |
Ashutosh Sharma, Stubbs best finishers
Punjab Kings’ loss in Delhi Capitals’ gain. After a phenomenal season in IPL 2024 where he emerged as a breakout star, Ashutosh Sharma was bagged by DC for Rs 3.80 cr. The ex-PBKS star’s ability to strike maximums at will and finish games for the side makes him the perfect number 6 batter for the side. DC also opted to retain South Africa’s Tristian Stubbs after being impressed by him in IPL 2024.
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
| Ashutosh Sharma | 11 | 189 | 27 | 167.26 |
| Tristian Stubbs | 18 | 405 | 36.82 | 173.82 |
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