Inside Delhi Capitals’ Disastrous IPL 2023! What Went Wrong?

where did DC go wrong this ipl

Where did DC Go Wrong This IPL: Delhi Capitals experienced a period of success between 2019 and 2021, making consecutive playoff appearances and reaching the final once. However, their performance took a dip last season as they narrowly missed out on the knockout stage, finishing fifth in the table.

The initial expectation was to bounce back strongly and secure a spot in the playoffs again, but DC’s journey in IPL 2023 took a disappointing turn. They were the first team to be eliminated from the race, managing only five wins out of 14 matches.

The reasons behind their downfall may be clearer to those working behind the scenes, but from an outsider’s perspective, it is evident that Delhi Capitals fell victim to mediocrity across all aspects of the game.

Absence of Rishabh Pant

One significant setback was the absence of Rishabh Pant, who suffered a car crash in December. This absence had a profound impact, but the poor batting form of key players from the 2022 season also dealt a severe blow to DC’s chances.

Also Read: Delhi Capitals and the curse of IPL wooden spoon

Failure of Shaw, Marsh and Powell

Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Marsh, and Rovman Powell collectively scored over 750 runs last year, but this season, their combined total was a mere 241 runs. Phil Salt and Rilee Rossouw failed to fill the void left by Pant’s absence. Insufficient runs became their Achilles’ heel.

Shaw’s struggle was evident as he was dropped from the team midway through the tournament after scoring only 47 runs in six innings. His lack of runs adversely affected stand-in captain David Warner’s strike rate. While Warner managed to accumulate 516 runs with six half-centuries in 2023, his strike rate dropped from 150.52 in 2022 to 131.63. Essentially, his runs did not have the desired impact.

Also Read: Year-wise IPL winner’s amount

Struggle of Bowlers

Similar struggles plagued the bowling department. The all-rounders performed relatively better for Delhi. Mitchell Marsh led the wicket-takers tally for DC with 12 wickets in nine matches, placing him 20th overall. Axar Patel followed closely with 11 wickets from 14 games. However, the regular bowlers had a lackluster season. Kuldeep Yadav claimed 10 wickets in 14 games, while Anrich Nortje (10) and Khaleel Ahmed (9) struggled with injuries. With little to highlight about the bowlers’ performances, it is no surprise that DC’s campaign ended on a disappointing note.

Also Read: List of Purple Cap winners in IPL (2008 to 2023)

Were There any Bright Spots for DC in IPL 2023?

Among the few bright spots for DC was Axar Patel. Apart from his 11 wickets, he made a significant contribution with the bat, scoring 283 runs from the lower order. His quickfire 22-ball fifty against the Mumbai Indians was the fifth-fastest half-century in DC’s history. Coach Ricky Ponting had intended to use him as a finisher, and promoting Axar up the batting order could have been a strategic move considering the failures of the top and middle orders. It would have been a risk worth taking.

Another positive development for DC was the return of Ishant Sharma. Due to an injury to Khaleel, the veteran pacer got an opportunity to play in the middle of the season. In a player-of-the-match performance, Ishant took two wickets for 19 runs as DC secured their first win of the season in April against the Kolkata Knight Riders, breaking a streak of five consecutive losses. Overall, Ishant finished the season with 10 wickets from eight matches.

Also Read: List of Orange Cap winners in IPL (2008 to 2023)

As the DC camp begins planning for the next season, the focus will be on the performance of their batsmen and overseas players, as they will be under scrutiny to improve and contribute more significantly.

About johnsahil

John Sahil is a talented and versatile writer specializing in sports and pop culture content. With a passion for both subjects, John Sahil seamlessly blends his knowledge of the sports world and his keen interest in the latest trends in pop culture to create engaging and informative articles. His unique ability to capture the essence of these domains has made him an invaluable asset to the Sportsocket writing team. Extensive Sports Knowledge: John possesses a deep understanding of various sports, including football, basketball, tennis, and more. His in-depth knowledge of rules, player profiles, historical moments, and ongoing events enables hm to deliver comprehensive and accurate sports content that captivates readers. Pop Culture Enthusiast: John Sahil's love for pop culture extends beyond sports. He stays up-to-date with the latest trends, celebrity news, music releases, and movie premieres. His insightful articles reflect his ability to analyze and discuss the impact of pop culture phenomena on society and provide readers with fresh perspectives. John Sahil is a valued member of our writing team, where his expertise in sports and pop culture allows him to create compelling content. His articles are a testament to his passion, knowledge, and commitment to delivering high-quality content that informs, entertains, and engages readers in the ever-evolving worlds of sports and pop culture.

View all posts by johnsahil →