Delhi Capital's IPL History from 2008 to 2024: Stats, records, milestones, and more

Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Tillakaratne Dilshan, AB de Villiers, Dinesh Karthik, and Glenn McGrath. These were the players who played for Delhi Capitals (Delhi Daredevils then) in the first season of IPL. 

Those names would have been joined by Virat Kohli if not for a huge mistake. The team management of Delhi decided to go in for Pradeep Sangwan and let go of Virat Kohli when the Under-19 players were picked.

In 2023, David Warner led the side. Rishabh Pant’s injuries and his rehabilitation meant that Delhi’s most talismanic player missed the entire IPL 2023 season. This season Rishabh Pant is set to make his return as Delhi Capitals have made some smart purchases as well.

Also Check: DC Team 2024 Players List

Let's look at the Delhi Capital's IPL journey from 2008 to 2024:

IPL 2008 – Dazzling debut 

The very first season of the Indian Premier League saw Delhi Capitals finish fourth on the points table. This helped them reach the semi-finals of the tournament where they lost to eventual winners Rajasthan Royals. It was disappointing considering that at the halfway stage of the tournament, many felt that Delhi would win the IPL. Gautam Gambhir’s 534 runs was the most by a Delhi batter that season. With the ball, it was Yo Mahesh who led the charge with 16 wickets. 

IPL 2009 – Second Semi-Finals appearance

Delhi Capitals were the team to beat in South Africa as they raced to the top of the table standings. Dirk Nannes and his pace made all the difference as the Dutch-born Australian star replaced Glenn McGrath from the playing XI. For the second year in succession, Delhi Capitals had reached the semis of the IPL. Just like the 2008 season, Delhi lost to eventual winners Deccan Chargers in the semis. AB de Villiers was the leading scorer with 465 which also included a century. With the ball, Ashish Nehra was the player to watch with 19 wickets from 13 matches that season. 

IPL 2010 – Missing out on third semi-finals due to run-rate

IPL 2010 saw Delhi Capitals put in yet another spirited performance with 14 points from 14 games. Virender Sehwag and his team had won seven games and lost seven and were tied on points with CSK, RCB, and KKR who had 14 points each. Delhi Capitals lost out on their third successive semi-finals appearance due to inferior run-rate which saw RCB take the final spot. Dashing batter Virender Sehwag was the highest scorer that season with 356 runs while Amit Mishra picked 17 wickets.

IPL 2011 – Crashing to bottom of the table

In their very first game of the season during IPL 2011, Delhi Capitals were bowled out for 95 by Mumbai Indians. This set the tone for what was a horrendous season for the Delhi team. The side finished bottom of the table with nine points as their batting and bowling fell apart. Virender Sehwag was the lone man who fought with the bat as he scored a blistering century that season. The former India batter scored 424 runs while Morne Morkel picked up 13 wickets with the ball. 

IPL 2012 – Strong Resurgence

Luck changed for Delhi Capitals as it turned 180 degrees to see them top the table during IPL 2012. Kevin Pietersen was in a rich vein of form as many felt that this was the season that Delhi Capitals could finally break their jinx. Virender Sehwag too was in amazing form as Morne Morkel was firing in the ball like bullets. After losing to KKR in the first play-off Delhi had a chance to reach the finals once again. That hope was ended as defending champions CSK won the second playoffs as well. Virender Sehwag’s 495 runs was the highest score for Delhi while Morne Morkel won the purple cap with 25 scalps.

IPL 2013 – Second bottom of the table finish in three years

In what turned out to be Virender Sehwag’s last season with Delhi the campaign was a huge letdown. The team finished last in the table with just six points from the 14 games played. Even the dynamic talents of David Warner could not help Delhi come out of the rot they had found themselves in. The Aussie batter was the top scorer for DC with 410 runs while Umesh Yadav’s 16 wickets were the best by a Delhi bowler. 

IPL 2014 – Delhi Capitals touch new low

After their last place finish in IPL 2013, many felt the season was a minor blip for Delhi Capitals. Inexplicably, Delhi Capitals swung to a new low as they won just two games out of 14 to finish last in the table. Their first was against eventual champions KKR and their second win was against defending champions MI. JP Duminy with 410 runs was the only solace for DC with the bat. Imran Tahir picked 9 wickets in what was a fair indicator behind the ruins of the IPL 2014 campaign. 

IPL 2015 – Signs of revival

In IPL 2015, Delhi Capitals finished seventh in the table with 11 points from 14 games. The showing this year though was better in comparison to what they had done in the last two seasons. Shreyas Iyer made an instant impact for Delhi Capitals in his debut season scoring 439 runs with the bat with 4 fifties. Ageless and tireless Imran Tahir picked 15 wickets to keep giving Delhi Capitals important scalps. 

IPL 2016 – Making the move upwards

By the time IPL 2016 came around, Delhi Capitals were slowly finding their feet once again. In 2016, the team finished sixth on the table bettering their seventh-place finish a year before. Delhi Capitals were finally putting together a team that was ready to fight for the major honours. This was also the season the world got to see Rishabh Pant for the first time. Quinton de Kock took the batting honors for DC with 445 runs while Chris Morris was the leading wicket-taker with 13 scalps. 

IPL 2017 – Lack of improvement frustrates fans

Delhi Capitals made no change to their standings in the table as they finished sixth for the second year in a row. The season was not all bad though as Sanju Samson began to show his class with the bat. The youngster scored 386 runs to be the leading run-getter for Delhi that season. With the ball, it was Pat Cummins who did the damage with 15 crucial wickets during the season. 

IPL 2018 – Yet another miserable campaign

In terms of personal achievements, players had a great time playing with the Delhi side. But the team slumped back to the last place finish to frustrate their fans. Social Media saw red as Delhi Capitals didn’t capitalise on their strong finishes the previous two seasons to make improvements. Rishabh Pant finished with 684 runs including his maiden IPL century. Trent Boult was the star package with the ball as he picked 18 wickets with a best of 2/20. 

IPL 2019 – First playoffs in 7 years

Perhaps frustration of the fans from the previous season worked out well, Delhi Capitals under Shreyas Iyer played amazing cricket to reach the playoff stages. After finishing third on the table, Delhi Capitals lost to CSK in the second qualifier game. This ended the hopes for Delhi to win their first-ever IPL title. Opener Shikhar Dhawan’s 521 runs made the difference while Kagiso Rabada’s 25 wickets was the most by any DC bowler. 

IPL 2020 – Maiden finals 

After waiting 13 years, Delhi Capitals finally made it to their first-ever IPL finals in 2020. Mumbai Indians made short work of their opponents, but Delhi Capitals stole the hearts with their performances. Shikhar Dhawan yet again was the highest scorer for DC with 618 runs with two centuries. Kagiso Rabada picked 30 wickets to win the purple cap that season for Delhi Capitals.

IPL 2021 – Yet another top-of-the-table finish

IPL 2021 saw Delhi Capitals storm to yet another first-place finish on the table. After losing to CSK in the first qualifier, Delhi met KKR in the second. The two-time IPL winners beat Delhi Capitals easily to book their place in the finals. For the third year in a row, Shikhar Dhawan was the star with the willow scoring 587 runs. Avesh Khan picked 24 wickets to become the best bowler for DC that season. 

IPL 2022 – Losing a chance to make it to top four

David Warner was back to his old side during the IPL 2022 season as the team made smart choices with players. Despite playing some good cricket, Delhi Capitals could only finish fifth on the table. Losses during crucial moments in the season meant that Delhi Capitals missed out on a fourth successive IPL playoff. David Warner’s 432 runs was the most by a DC player that season. 21 wickets by Kuldeep Yadav were enough to make DC’s bowling unit look much stronger.

IPL 2023 – Ninth place finish mars season

The IPL 2023 season gave Delhi Capitals a feeling of Déjà vu they felt a decade ago. The team was down in the dumps as they lost a few key games on the last ball. The most notable was the loss to Mumbai Indians at home. Rishabh Pant had missed the entire season and Prithvi Shaw’s illness meant that Delhi Capitals had lost quite a few key players. Skipper David Warner romped home yet another glorious season with the bat scoring 516 runs. Mitchell Marsh did the trick with the ball for DC picking 12 wickets with his medium pacers.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Schedule

IPL 2024 – Can Delhi finally win the big one?

Delhi Capitals learned their lessons and have made some smart purchases for the IPL 2024 season. Harry Brook, Tristan Stubbs, Jhye Richardson, and Shai Hope are some of the big names purchased. With Rishabh Pant set to make his return, Delhi Capitals will only get stronger. If they can avoid their inconsistencies with the bat and ball, the cricketing fraternity might see the Capitals hold the title aloft in 2024.