Punjab Newsline,Sports:
Lack of alternatives for Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav seen as only weak link in an otherwise balanced squad
With IPL 2026 approaching, former India opener Aakash Chopra has expressed confidence in Delhi Capitals (DC), calling them strong contenders for the title this season. He believes the squad looks well-balanced and powerful, though he highlighted a potential concern in the spin department.
Chopra noted that DC have significantly improved their strategy and auction planning over the past few years. Since 2019, the team has been consistently competitive and even reached the final in 2020. He emphasized that stability is a key factor behind any team’s success, and frequent changes often prevent teams from finding their best combination.
Citing examples, he pointed to Gujarat Titans, who achieved success through consistency and stability early on. In contrast, teams like DC and Punjab Kings have struggled due to constant changes in leadership and squad composition.
Analyzing the current squad, Chopra said DC have strong backups for almost every position. However, he admitted that replacing players like Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav is extremely difficult, as quality alternatives for such spinners are rare even across the country.
Meanwhile, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan reflected on DC’s past struggles with talent identification. He pointed out that the franchise failed to fully utilize players like AB de Villiers and Andre Russell during their time with the team, which proved costly.
Pathan also praised Punjab Kings (PBKS) for their recent turnaround, attributing it to strong leadership and clear decision-making. He highlighted the role of captain Shreyas Iyer in bringing direction and stability to the team.
Overall, DC appear to have a solid and well-rounded squad for IPL 2026. However, maintaining stability and effectively managing dependence on key players will be crucial if they are to finally lift their maiden IPL trophy.