The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) has reached its midway point, and Delhi Capitals (DC), led by Axar Patel, have impressed fans with powerful performances. However, the team recently suffered a crushing defeat against Gujarat Titans, costing them their top spot on the points table.

As Delhi Capitals gear up to face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the spotlight is back on Axar Patel and his potential decisions for the playing XI. Will he continue with the current squad or bring in fresh faces to bounce back stronger?

Opening Combination Under the Scanner

In the last match against Gujarat, DC made a surprising change at the top by replacing Jake Fraser-McGurk with Karun Nair, who opened alongside Abishek Porel. However, the experiment failed as both batters couldn’t give the team a solid start. Despite the poor outing, Axar Patel may still stick with the same duo, hoping they can fire in the upcoming match against LSG.

Middle Order to Remain Intact

Delhi’s middle order has shown consistency and strength this season. KL Rahul is expected to bat at No. 3, bringing valuable experience and momentum. Captain Axar Patel might step in at No. 4, aiming to play a match-defining knock and regain form. South African hitter Tristan Stubbs is likely to follow, with youngster Ashutosh Sharma adding finishing touches down the order.

Bowling Shake-up on the Cards

Delhi’s bowling unit struggled against Gujarat Titans. None of the bowlers managed to contain Jos Buttler, who single-handedly took the game away. This could prompt a major rethink in the bowling department.

Notably, DC had acquired Indian left-arm pacer T Natarajan for a hefty ₹10.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. However, due to fitness issues, he hasn’t played a game yet. If Natarajan is declared match-fit before the LSG clash, he could be included in place of Mukesh Kumar.

Alongside him, the bowling attack may feature Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and all-rounder Vipraj Nigam, offering a balanced mix of pace and spin.

Possible Playing XI for DC vs LSG:

Abishek Porel, Karun Nair, KL Rahul (WK), Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel (C), Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma/T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar
Impact Player: Donovan Ferreira