Aakash Chopra opens up on Delhi Capitals’ strengths ahead of IPL 2025, says Mitchell Starc will be an X-factor

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has shed light on Delhi Capitals’ strengths ahead of IPL 2025. Chopra picked Mitchell Starc’s presence as one of the strengths going into the 18th season of the tournament. The renowned commentator said the Australian raises his game when it comes to winning big tournaments.

Starc was part of Kolkata Knight Riders’ winning campaign in IPL 2024. Though the gun-fast bowler was not at his best in the league phase, he was able to deliver for the franchise in the playoffs. Starc scalped 17 wickets in 14 matches of the tournament at an average of 26.11 and an economy rate of 10.61.

DC had bagged Starc’s services for a whopping amount of INR 11.75 crore in the mega auction.

“Mitchell Starc is an X-factor. He raises his game when it comes to winning the tournament. He showed that by doing it in the playoffs last year. The likes of Mukesh Kumar, Mohit Sharma and Darshan Nalkande are also there, but they are betting heavily on Mitchell Starc,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

On the other hand, Chopra hailed the spin duo of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. The reputed commentator said the pair will keep it tight as well as they are wicket-taking options.

“I like this team’s spin bowling a lot. Captain Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, they are an eight-over bank, and they are actually bankable players. Both pick up wickets and keep it tight as well. They also bowl in different stages of the game,” he observed.

Chopra observed that DC has a healthy mix of caution and aggression in the batting department.

“They have a healthy mix of caution and aggression in the batting order. You will get Faf du Plessis opening with Jake Fraser-McGurk. He will surely play since he is the vice-captain now and Harry Brook is also not there. However, it means you might find KL Rahul at No. 3 and Abishek Porel may or may not be seen,” he said.

Delhi Capitals will begin their IPL 2025 campaign against Lucknow Super Giant at ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium on 24th March.

Delhi Capitals Full Squad for IPL 2025:

KL Rahul, Faf du Plessis, Karun Nair, Sameer Rizvi, Donovan Ferreira, Tripurana Vijay, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Dushmantha Chameera, Ajay Mandal, Manvanth Kumar, Madhav Tiwari, Mitchell Starc, Jake Fraser-McGurk, T. Natarajan, Mohit Sharma, Darshan Nalkande, Vipraj Nigam