IPL 2021: Delhi Capitals’ Indian stars have been in fine form in the India vs England Test series and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, making them favourites to win the IPL 2021 title. With Prithvi Shaw’s return to form beside skipper Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Shikhar Dhawan, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin all firing from all cylinders they are the early favourites.
IPL 2021: Why DC would start as favourites this season?
Vijay Hazare 2021 form:
Prithvi Shaw: The diminutive powerhouse has returned to his swashbuckling form ahead of the IPL 2021. After poor returns in Australia, the Mumbai opener has scored 589 runs in six innings in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy including a double century and two centuries. With his return to form, DC will be relieved as they won’t have to test multiple opening combinations in IPL 2021.
Shreyas Iyer: The Mumbai skipper too did not have a great Australia tour, scoring only 71 runs from five innings. But the DC skipper has found his lost form in domestic 50-over cricket, scoring 260 runs in four innings including two centuries. His consistent performance was key to DC’s ascend to the final.
Shikhar Dhawan: Delhi Capitals’ top scorer in IPL 2020 with 618 runs, he lost his form, managing only one half-century in the Australia series. After initial struggles, he returned to form in domestic cricket, slamming a 48-ball 77 against Kerala in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and 118-ball 153 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. If he gets going in the limited-overs series against England, Delhi’s top-order will be the strongest in IPL 2021.
India vs England Test series form:
Ravichandran Ashwin: The ICC Test cricketer of the Month, Ravi Ashwin had a wonderful Test series against England. He returned with 32 wickets in four matches. But he was equally successful with the bat, scoring a century in the 2nd Test in Chennai. In the last IPL, he had an average run with 13 wickets from 15 matches. If he could carry forward his red-ball form, DC’s spin department will be sorted.
Axar Patel: Axar Patel has been a revelation in the India-England Test series. In his debut Test series, he returned with 27 wickets from just three Tests and guided India to the World Test Championship final against New Zealand.
Rishabh Pant: India’s new Mr dependable, Rishabh Pant has not only improved his wicketkeeping skills but also his batting. He is one reason why India won the Test series in Australia and why India beat England in the 4th Test. In the last six innings, Pant has scored 260 runs at an average of 54. If his willow gets going, Delhi will be a fearsome unit.
However, it’s not just Indian players. Among DC’s overseas players, Steven Smith, the franchise’s newest pick from IPL 2021 auctions, has been in form too. Against India, Smith scored 131 and 81 in the Sydney Test and followed that up 55 in the fourth Test. Back in Australia’s domestic cricket, the former Rajasthan Royals player slammed 127 against Victoria for New South Wales.
IPL 2021: Not CSK or RCB, Why DC would start as favourites this season
