IPL 2021: Team-wise four first-choice overseas players

2. Delhi Capitals

1. Steve Smith– The Australian superstar was bought by the Delhi Capitals for a bargain price of Rs. 2.2 crores and will directly compete with Shimron Hetmyer for a place in the team. Hetmyer’s poor performances last season and Smith’s massive reputation in the game should guarantee him a place in the XI initially. After being released by the Rajasthan Royals, he will want to prove a point and show them what they will miss in the upcoming season.

2. Marcus Stoinis– One of the best performers in the league last season, Stoinis will be an obvious pick in the starting XI. He scored 352 runs at a strike-rate of nearly 150 and even picked up 13 wickets at a strike-rate of 13.69. The Australian will play the role of finisher for the Capitals and will also chip in with a couple of overs as the 6th bowler.

3. Kagiso Rabada– He won the Purple Cap last season as he picked up 30 wickets in 17 games at a strike-rate of 13.13 and showed why he is considered one of the best bowlers in the world. His partnership with Anrich Nortje was quite remarkable, and they were consistently picking up wickets. He has said that he won’t be available for the first few games due to national commitments and thus, Woakes might play in place of him during those games.

4. Anrich Nortje– Nortje forms the 2nd half of the deadly South African pace duo that the Capitals possess and like Rabada, even he can bowl at speeds exceeding 145 kph with ease. While it was Rabada who received most of the praise, even Nortje was excellent as he managed to pick up 22 wickets in 16 games at a strike rate of 16.63.