Delhi Capitals: DC News, Updates, and Team Insights

Delhi Capitals 2025 Squad and Key Personnel

Coaching & Support Staff

Delhi Capitals continue to rely on an experienced backroom team to guide their players throughout the season.

2025 Delhi Capitals Fixtures

Delhi Capitals are gearing up for another thrilling IPL season, with crucial matches lined up against some of the league’s biggest teams. Below is their complete fixture list for the 2025 IPL season.

Delhi Capitals in the 2025 IPL Auction

The IPL 2025 mega auction was a crucial event for Delhi Capitals (DC) as they aimed to rebuild their squad and finally break their title drought. With ₹14.26 million spent and only ₹0.02 million left, the Capitals filled 23 out of their 25 available slots, including seven overseas players.

The team made some high-profile acquisitions, most notably signing KL Rahul for ₹1.67 million. The experienced Indian batter is expected to play a key role at the top of the order. Another marquee addition was Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc, bought for ₹1.40 million, but concerns remain over his availability due to injury and international commitments.

The Capitals also invested heavily in young talent, securing Jake Fraser-McGurk for ₹1.07 million and Harry Brook for ₹0.74 million. Both players have shown flashes of brilliance, but questions remain over their consistency, especially Brook’s ability to handle spin in subcontinent conditions.

Veteran Faf du Plessis was another big name added to the squad at a bargain price of ₹0.24 million, bringing leadership experience and stability to the batting lineup. Meanwhile, Delhi strengthened their bowling attack by acquiring T Natarajan (₹1.28 million), Mukesh Kumar (₹0.95 million), and Mohit Sharma (₹0.26 million).

• Total Purse Spent: 14.26 Mn
• Purse Left: 0.02 Mn
• Total Players Bought: 23/25
• Overseas Players Bought: 7/8

DC’s IPL Results to Date

Delhi Capitals will look to make a strong push for the IPL 2025 playoffs, facing a mix of challenging a>ay fixtures and crucial home games at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Delhi Capitals have had a rollercoaster ride in the IPL since their inception in 2008. Formerly known as the Delhi Daredevils, the team started strong but struggled with consistency, often failing to make deep runs in the tournament. However, since their rebranding in 2018, the Capitals have steadily improved, reaching their first-ever IPL final in 2020 and becoming a regular playoff contender.

In the inaugural 2008 season, Delhi made it to the semi-finals, finishing fourth in the league. The following year, they topped the table during the league stage but suffered a disappointing semi-final exit. The team struggled in the next few seasons, failing to reach the playoffs in 2010, 2011, and 2013-2018, with particularly poor performances in 2011 and 2014, when they finished last. However, in 2012, Delhi finished first in the league, only to fall short in the playoffs once again.

From 2019 onwards, Delhi Capitals transformed into a more competitive unit. They reached the playoffs in 2019, before finally breaking through to the final in 2020, where they finished as runners-up to the Mumbai Indians. In 2021, they topped the league stage again but failed to capitalize in the knockout rounds. The 2022 season saw them narrowly miss out on the playoffs, finishing fifth, followed by a disappointing 2023 campaign where they finished ninth out of ten teams. In 2024, they improved slightly, securing a sixth-place finish but again falling short of a playoff berth.

Despite multiple strong regular-season performances, Delhi Capitals are yet to win an IPL title. They have built a strong squad over the years and remain a serious contender for future championships.

DC’s Home Stadium: Arun Jaitley Stadium

Delhi Capitals play their home matches at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, formerly known as Feroz Shah Kotla, located in New Delhi. One of India’s oldest and most historic cricket venues, the stadium has been the heart of Delhi cricket since its establishment in 1883. Over the decades, it has witnessed some of the most iconic moments in Indian cricket, including Anil Kumble’s historic 10-wicket haul against Pakistan in 1999.

With a seating capacity of around 41,000, the stadium provides an electric atmosphere, especially when Delhi Capitals take the field. The passionate home crowd, often clad in blue, brings a relentless energy that makes it one of the more intimidating venues in the IPL. The pitch at Arun Jaitley Stadium has historically been slow and spin-friendly, favoring teams with quality spinners. However, in recent years, it has seen a shift towards batting-friendly surfaces, leading to high-scoring encounters.

Located in the heart of Delhi, the stadium’s compact dimensions make it a paradise for power-hitters, and the Capitals have often built their squads around aggressive stroke-makers who can capitalize on the conditions. The ground has also been a fortress for Delhi’s domestic cricket, serving as the home base for numerous Ranji Trophy triumphs.

Beyond the cricket, the stadium underwent major renovations in 2019 and was renamed after former BCCI president and Indian politician Arun Jaitley. The upgrades included improved seating, modernized facilities, and better player amenities, bringing it up to international standards. Despite these changes, it retains its historic charm and remains one of the most beloved venues in Indian cricket.

For Delhi Capitals, Arun Jaitley Stadium is more than just a home ground—it’s a place where they have forged memorable victories, thrilled their passionate fanbase, and built a team identity centered around resilience and attacking cricket.

A Brief History of the Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals, originally known as Delhi Daredevils, were one of the founding franchises of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. The team, based in New Delhi, was owned by GMR Group and later saw a partial acquisition by JSW Sports in 2018. That same year, the franchise underwent a major rebranding, changing its name to Delhi Capitals, signaling a fresh start and a renewed vision for success.

In the early years of the IPL, Delhi Daredevils showed promise, making it to the semi-finals in 2008 and 2009. With a squad boasting legendary players like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, AB de Villiers, and Glenn McGrath, they were one of the strongest teams in the initial seasons. However, despite finishing top of the league table in 2009 and 2012, they failed to convert their dominance into an IPL title, crashing out in the knockouts on both occasions.

From 2013 to 2018, the team endured a long period of struggles, finishing at the bottom of the table multiple times. Frequent captaincy changes, inconsistent performances, and ineffective squad selections plagued the franchise, making them one of the least successful teams in the tournament. However, the rebranding to Delhi Capitals in 2018 marked a turning point. With Ricky Ponting as head coach and a new core of young talent, the team started to rebuild.

The transformation became evident in 2019, when they qualified for the playoffs for the first time in seven years. The breakthrough moment came in 2020, when Delhi Capitals, led by Shreyas Iyer, reached their first-ever IPL final. However, they fell short against the Mumbai Indians in the championship match. They followed it up with another strong campaign in 2021, finishing top of the league stage, but once again faltered in the playoffs.

The following seasons saw a mix of highs and lows. In 2022, they missed the playoffs by a narrow margin, finishing fifth, while 2023 turned out to be one of their worst seasons, ending ninth out of ten teams. 2024 showed some improvement, but they could only manage a sixth-place finish, missing out on the knockouts once again.

Despite never winning an IPL title, Delhi Capitals have emerged as a strong contender in recent years. With a young core, explosive batting lineup, and a world-class coaching staff, they remain one of the most exciting teams in the league. Their journey has been defined by early promise, a decade of struggles, and a revival that has brought them closer than ever to lifting their maiden IPL trophy.

Who owns the Delhi Capitals?

Delhi Capitals is co-owned by two major corporate giants, GMR Group and JSW Group, both of which have played a crucial role in shaping the franchise into a competitive IPL force. The ownership has remained stable and professional, ensuring that the team is managed efficiently both on and off the field.

The GMR Group, a leading name in infrastructure and property development, was the original owner of the franchise, acquiring the Delhi-based team for $84 million in 2008. For the first decade, they oversaw the team’s operations under the name Delhi Daredevils, until 2018, when the JSW Group entered the picture. One of India’s biggest multinational conglomerates, JSW Group bought a 50% stake in the franchise for ₹550 crore, and with their arrival, the team was rebranded as Delhi Capitals in a bid to refresh their identity and improve their performance.

One of the most influential figures in DC’s management is Parth Jindal, the Director of JSW Sports. Under his leadership, the team has made bold strategic moves, focusing on long-term planning, player development, and squad balance. His vision has played a crucial role in Delhi’s resurgence as a playoff-contending side.

On the GMR Group’s side, Kiran Grandhi, CEO and Managing Director of GMR Infrastructure, ensures that the franchise remains professionally managed, with a focus on sustainable growth. The partnership between Jindal and Grandhi has been seamless, ensuring that DC consistently remains a well-run franchise, both financially and operationally.

Adding to the leadership structure, Vinod Bisht, a former paratrooper in the Indian Army, was recently appointed as the interim CEO of Delhi Capitals. His role brings a disciplined, strategic approach to the management, ensuring that the team remains focused on achieving IPL success.

Delhi Capitals’ Ownership Timeline

• 2008: The GMR Group buys the franchise and launches it as Delhi Daredevils.
• 2018: JSW Group acquires 50% ownership, leading to the team’s rebranding as Delhi Capitals.
• 2024: The joint ownership remains strong, with both groups working together to drive the team towards its first IPL title.

The GMR-JSW partnership has been a smooth and controversy-free arrangement, with both companies committed to building a strong and sustainable team. Unlike some IPL franchises that have faced ownership issues or legal troubles, DC’s owners have maintained a clean reputation, focusing purely on cricket and business expansion.

Expanding the Delhi Capitals Brand

Beyond IPL, the GMR Group has expanded its cricket operations globally, investing in multiple franchises in T20 leagues around the world:

• Dubai Capitals (ILT20 – UAE)
• Pretoria Capitals (SA20 – South Africa)
• Seattle Orcas (MLC – USA)
• Hampshire Cricket (English County Cricket, with GMR holding a 51% stake)

These partnerships strengthen Delhi Capitals’ global presence, positioning them as a multinational cricket brand.