Captaincy Replacement of DC: The defending champions, Gujarat Titans is the team with 12 points on the board and they are placed at the number one position in the TATA IPL 2023 season.

There are four teams with 10 points each and those teams are Lucknow Super Giants, Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Punjab Kings. 

Then the teams of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians earned eight points each. While the Purple Army, Kolkata Knight Riders, and the Orange Army, Sunrisers Hyderabad have got six points under their belt so far.

Delhi Capitals is the only side who have just two wins under their belt and they have earned four points till now.

Delhi Capitals is the last team on the points table and there was a glimmer of hope that the Capitals side will rise above after facing five losses in their opening encounters.

But David Warner and his team went down against Sunrises Hyderabad. Now DC will have to win their remaining matches to qualify for the playoff stage.

The captaincy has been changed in mid-season as many teams have applied this approach in the history of the Indian Premier League.

Mumbai Indians won their maiden title under Rohit Sharma in the 2013 season. But Ricky Pointing was the earlier skipper of that team and later he handed that responsibility to Hit Man.

Mumbai Indians is the only team to win an IPL Title even after their captain was changed. The DC franchise team can use this approach and let David Warner concentrate on his batting.

Here are the four options which DC can consider for the remaining matches of this 16th edition of the cash-rich league tournament.

1. Axar Patel

The spin-bowling all-rounder of the Indian Cricket Team, Axar Patel is in great form with the bat and ball. Axar has bailed out the team many times single-handedly. But still, he is not promoted up the order.

Axar can be a good choice as a captain which will add an X factor to this side. Patel has scored 211 runs and picked up seven wickets so far. 

2. Prithvi Shaw

The opening batter and partner of David Warner, Prithvi Shaw can be another option who can lead this Delhi side. Shaw is an experienced campaigner and he has been part of this team for many seasons.

However, he needs runs under his belt and Shaw needs to give a good show in challenging situations which proves that he is captaincy material. Till now Prithvi has scored only 34 runs from the first five games. 

3. Manish Pandey

The former player of Sunrisers Hyderabad is with the Capitals team now. Pandey Ji is also a senior pro in the team and he has a good amount of experience to lead the side.

Manish is also a vital member of the order. But his consistency has been a big issue. Still, DC can look upon him as a captain for the remaining matches which could allow him to step up as a batter. 

4. Mitchell Marsh

After the first few matches, Marsh has looked good in the recent matches. As an all-rounder Marsh can be that impact player for the Capitals in the upcoming matches and so he can be a replacement for Warner as well.

But with only four overseas players allowed in the playing XI, Marsh’s appointment as a skipper looks highly impossible.

Still, DC can consider this option as they need a leader who should step up from their today’s clash against the defending champions side GT. 

By: Kaushal Kowjalgi