IPL 2023: 5 Delhi Capitals (DC) players who could be benched throughout the season

Delhi Capitals entered the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League as one of the consistent teams having reached the playoffs in each of the last three seasons. However, they were not at their best and stuttered at crucial junctures of the competition. As a result, DC finished the league stage at the fifth position. Despite a disappointing season, the Delhi franchise backed the majority of their players to come good in the 16th IPL edition and let go of only five players. They improved the depth of the side by signing top-quality players at the IPL 2023 auction. DC are full of match-winners but it would not be possible for the team management to give opportunities to each and every player present in the team. Thus, as Delhi bid for glory in the coming season, one might witness certain cricketers being benched the entire tournament. Here are five DC players who could be benched throughout the 2023 season 5. Vicky Ostwal Vicky Ostwal caught a lot of eyeballs with his sensational performances in the Under-19 World Cup 2022. The left-arm spinner wreaked havoc with the ball and bagged 12 wickets in six games at an economy of 3.63. His bowling exploits were instrumental in Yash Dhull & co. clinching the title. Delhi Capitals liked what they saw in Ostwal and signed him at the 2022 mega auction. But the youngster did not give any opportunity in that edition. However, the team management was inclined towards reinvesting in the Pune-born and thus, retained him for the coming season. It will again be quite difficult for Ostwal to break into the playing XI. Delhi have international quality spinners such as Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel in their arsenal. They also possess Lalit Yadav and Pravin Dubey, who are relatively more experienced in the domestic circuit. Thus, the chances of Vicky getting a game amid the spin quartet are bleak. 4. Aman Khan Aman Khan is one of the exciting all-rounders in the Mumbai cricketing circles. The 26-year-old has featured in 14 T20 matches and smashed 153 runs at a strike rate of 166.30. On the bowling front, he has bagged four scalps at an economy of 8.15. Aman has the ability to take bowling attacks to the cleaners with his stroke play and is also handy with his medium pace. Delhi Capitals included the Mumbai all-rounder into their side after a trade deal with Kolkata Knight Riders for Shardul Thakur. However, it seems unlikely that he will be getting a game in IPL 2023. Delhi Capitals have multi-faceted players such as Mitchell Marsh, Axar Patel, and Lalit Yadav in their ranks who have shown their might in the T20 circuit on many occasions. Moreover, if the think tank decided to include a Indian seam-bowling all-rounder, they could look at Ripal Patel, who has been associated with the franchise since IPL 2021. 3. Ishant Sharma Ishant Sharma has been a proven performer in the longest format of the game. The 24-year-old has featured in 105 Test matches and bagged 311 wickets at an average of 32.40. However, he has not been at his best in the Indian Premier League. The ace pacer has managed to pick 84 scalps in 104 matches at an economy of 7.96. However, Ishant brings a wealth of experience to any side, and therefore, Delhi Capitals roped him into their side for the 2023 season. However, it will be quite tough for him to break into the playing XI. DC have quality Indian pacers such as Chetan Sakariya, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, and Kamlesh Nagarkoti at their disposal. With such depth in Delhi’s Indian fast-bowling department, Ishant might warm the bench in the entire 16th IPL edition. 2. Rilee Rossouw Rilee Rossouw has been a giant of a player in the shortest format of the game. The 33-year-old has put on an exhibition of his swashbuckling stroke play and dismantled bowling attacks for fun. He has featured in 278 T20 matches and aggregated 7005 runs at a strike rate of 142.90. Rossouw was in a rich vein of form leading up to the IPL 2023 auction, having plundered 372 runs in 11 T20Is played in 2022, and Delhi Capitals signed him for the coming season to bolster their batting line-up. However, given the composition of the side, the South African batter might not make it to the playing XI. David Warner, Marsh and Anrich Nortje are likely to be Delhi's first-choice overseas picks in IPL 2023. Given Rishabh Pant will be missing the coming season, the think tank might include Phil Salt in the middle-order to fill the wicketkeeper void in the team, thereby fourth overseas slot is also locked in. Moreover, if the think tank decides to hand the keeping gloves to Sarfaraz Khan and exclude Salt, then too, Rovman Powell might be picked in the XI as he fared well in the role of a finisher last season, hammering 250 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 149.70. Thus, Rossouw being benched for the entire season seems to be on the cards. 1. Lungi Ngidi Lungi Ngidi has been a bankable name in the T20 circuit. He has featured in 98 matches in the shortest format and picked up 139 wickets at an economy of 8.07. The ace pacer has made the ball talk at the start of the innings and has also been impeccable at the fag end of the innings. The 26-year-old has been exceptional in the international arena as well, bagging 58 scalps in 36 T20Is at an economy of 8.91. Delhi Capitals signed Ngidi at the 2022 mega auction to strengthen the bowling line-up. However, he did not get a single game with the presence of Nortje and Mustafizur Rahman also in the mix. Given the ace international pacers are still in the team, they are likely to be higher in the pecking order. Further, Salt is likely to take up an overseas slot with Pant unavailable for the coming season, and therefore, Ngidi might have to wait to make his debut for Delhi.

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IPL 2023: 5 Delhi Capitals (DC) players who could be benched throughout the season

DC are full of match-winners but it would not be possible for the team management to give opportunities to each and every player present in the team.

3. Ishant Sharma

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