DC IPL 2025 Schedule, Squad, Key Players & Predicted Playing XI

Delhi Capitals have been one of the most inconsistent teams in IPL history, often showing flashes of brilliance but failing to sustain their form throughout a season. As they head into IPL 2025, they’ll be hoping that this is finally their year. But with Axar Patel taking over as captain, a first-time skipper leading a revamped squad, it won’t be an easy task.

DC IPL 2025 Schedule, Squad, Key Players & Predicted Playing XI

DC made some big moves in the auction, bringing in KL Rahul, Mitchell Starc, Faf du Plessis, and T Natarajan. Starc’s inclusion gives them a genuine match-winner in the bowling attack, while Faf and Rahul bring much-needed experience and stability to the batting lineup. However, the departures of Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw, Shai Hope, and Mitch Marsh leave some gaps, especially in terms of explosive middle-order firepower. 

Much will depend on young talents like Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abhishek Porel, and Tristan Stubbs, who have the potential to turn games around. Kuldeep Yadav’s form with the ball will also be crucial, especially in the middle overs. The real test, though, will be Axar’s leadership. Leading an IPL team for the first time is a tough challenge, and managing a mix of youth and experience won’t be easy. If DC finds the right balance and their big names deliver under pressure, they could finally end their title drought. 

DC IPL 2025 Schedule

DC’s journey in the IPL 2025 will feature some blockbuster clashes. Here’s their complete schedule:

IPL Match Schedule

Match No.	Date	Match	Time	Venue
1	March 24	DC vs LSG	7:30 PM	Visakhapatnam
2	March 30	DC vs SRH	3:30 PM	Visakhapatnam
3	April 5	CSK vs DC	3:30 PM	Chennai
4	April 10	RCB vs DC	7:30 PM	Bengaluru
5	April 13	DC vs MI	7:30 PM	Delhi
6	April 16	DC vs RR	7:30 PM	Delhi
7	April 19	GT vs DC	3:30 PM	Ahmedabad
8	April 22	LSG vs DC	7:30 PM	Lucknow
9	April 27	DC vs RCB	7:30 PM	Delhi
10	April 29	DC vs KKR	7:30 PM	Delhi
11	May 5	SRH vs DC	7:30 PM	Hyderabad
12	May 8	PBSK vs DC	7:30 PM	Dharamshala
13	May 11	DC vs GT	7:30 PM	Delhi
14	May 15	MI vs DC	7:30 PM	Mumbai

DC Squad for IPL 2025

DC has retained a core group of players while making some valuable additions during the IPL 2025 auction. Here’s the complete DC squad:

Batters:

Faf du Plessis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Karun Nair, Sameer Rizvi, Ashutosh Sharma

Wicket Keepers:

Donovan Ferreira, Abhishek Porel, Lokesh Rahul, Tristan Stubbs

All-rounders:

Axar Patel, Ajay Mandal, Madhav Tiwari

Bowlers:

Dushmantha Chameera, Mukesh Kumar, Darshan Nalkande, Thangarasu Natarajan, Vipraj Nigam, Mohit Sharma, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Manvanth Kumar L

Key Players to Watch Out For

DC’s hopes of winning their first IPL title will largely depend on the performance of their star players. Here are the key players to watch out for:

1. KL Rahul – The Run Machine

KL Rahul’s arrival at Delhi Capitals could be a game-changer. With his ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed, he brings much-needed stability to a batting lineup that has struggled with inconsistency. His experience in high-pressure situations will be crucial, especially with a first-time captain like Axar Patel leading the team. If Rahul can find his rhythm and stay injury-free, he could be the difference between another disappointing season and Delhi finally making a serious push for the title. 

2. Axar Patel– The Skipper

Axar Patel has been a key player for Delhi Capitals for years, but IPL 2025 brings his biggest challenge yet – leading Delhi as captain. Taking over a side that has struggled with inconsistency, Axar will need to balance his responsibilities as a leader while continuing to be Delhi’s go-to all-rounder. His steady left-arm spin and handy lower-order batting make him invaluable, but his biggest test will be handling pressure in crunch moments. 

3. Tristan Stubbs – The Game-Changer

Tristan Stubbs had a breakout IPL season last year, and Delhi Capitals fans will be hoping for even bigger things from him in 2025. His aggressive batting and ability to finish games make him a vital part of DC’s middle order. With experienced names like KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis around him, Stubbs will have the perfect platform to take his game to the next level. If he delivers consistently, he could be the difference-maker. 

4. Mitchell Starc – The Spearhead

Mitchell Starc’s arrival at Delhi Capitals brings both excitement and concern. He’s still recovering from an injury, so he might miss the first few games, which isn’t ideal for a team looking to start strong. Moreover, his form in IPL 2024 was patchy. But when the playoffs arrived, he showed why he’s a match-winner, delivering when it mattered most for KKR.  

5. Kuldeep Yadav – The X-Factor

Kuldeep Yadav has become Delhi Capitals’ most reliable bowler in recent seasons, consistently delivering breakthroughs in the middle overs. His ability to deceive batters with his variations makes him a genuine match-winner, especially on slow tracks. While DC has strengthened their pace attack with Mitchell Starc and T Natarajan, Kuldeep remains their biggest weapon when it comes to spin. With the team aiming for their first IPL title, his performances will be crucial in keeping opposition batters in check and shifting momentum in key moments. 

DC’s Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2025

Based on form, consistency, and match conditions, here’s the predicted DC playing XI for IPL 2025:

1. Faf du Plessis
2. Jake Fraser-McGurk
3. Karun Nair
4. KL Rahul
5. Tristan Stubbs
6. Sameer Rizvi
7. Axar Patel
8. Kuldeep Yadav
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Thangarasu Natarajan
11. Mukesh Kumar

Impact Players: Ashutosh Sharma, Dushmantha Chameera

DC’s Strengths and Weaknesses

 Strengths:

• Explosive Batting Lineup: With players like Faf Du Plessis, Jack Fraser-GcGurk, KL Rahul and Tristan Stuybbs, DC's strong and destructive batting core.
• Pace Attack: Mitchel Starc and Natarajan bring firepower to the bowling attack, capable of delivering early wickets.

 Weaknesses:

• Inconsistent Bowling: DC’s bowling department has often struggled with consistency, especially at the death.
• Over-Reliance on Top Order: DC heavily depends on its top three batters. A collapse could expose their middle-order fragility.
• Inexperienced Leadership: Axar’s captaincy make the weakness of Delhi Capital but faf captaincy experience brings stability to the team.

DC’s Chances in IPL 2025

DC has built a formidable squad with a solid combination of experienced players and emerging talent. If their key players fire consistently and their bowlers deliver in pressure situations, DC has a strong chance of making it to the IPL 2025 playoffs and potentially winning their first-ever title.

Conclusion

The Delhi Capitals are determined to end their title drought in IPL 2025. With power-packed batters, reliable bowlers, and skilled all-rounders, they have a balanced squad capable of making a deep run in the tournament. Fans are eager to see KL Rahul, Faf, and Axar Patel lead the charge in what promises to be an exciting IPL season.

Stay tuned to ScoreWaves for the latest updates on DC’s performance, match previews, and expert analysis throughout IPL 2025

Also Read: MI IPL 2025 Schedule, Squad, Key Players & Predicted Playing XI