Delhi Capitals (formerly known as Delhi Daredevils) are one of the top clubs featuring in the Indian Premier League (IPL). GMR and JSW Group own the DC. The Capitals went through a rebranding process in December 2018, just months after GMR Group sold 50% of the stakes to JSW Group for over INR 500 crores. As a result, their name was changed from Daredevils to Capitals, and post that their record in the cash-rich league changed entirely.

They went from one of the most inconsistent franchises to one of the most consistent teams in no time. DC played their first-ever IPL final in 2020, and over the years, they have made it to the playoffs on six occasions but are yet to win their maiden IPL title.

The Capitals have been home to some of the best players in the game's history. However, none of them had an impact similar to their former captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting. The duo led them to their first-ever final.

With Iyer no longer a part of the franchise Rishabh Pant took over the leadership role in IPL 2022 and continued till the end of the IPL 2024 season. Meanwhile, David Warner took over the reins in 2023, with Rishabh Pant out of the tournament due to a car accident injury.

Delhi Capitals had an eventful journey in the 2024 Indian Premier League, finishing sixth on the points table with seven wins and seven losses. Despite showing moments of brilliance, they struggled with consistency and missed out on a playoff spot. 

Determined to shake things up ahead of the 2025 season, the franchise made bold decisions, the most shocking being the release of long-time captain Rishabh Pant. Ending a nine-year association with the franchise, Pant’s departure signalled a major shift in DC’s approach. They retained a new core, built around Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, and Abishek Porel, ensuring a blend of experience and youth.

At the IPL 2025 mega auction, Delhi Capitals entered with a clear strategy to rebuild their squad and address key gaps. They made some high-profile acquisitions, including KL Rahul, Mitchell Starc, and T Natarajan, adding firepower to their batting and bowling departments.

The franchise also used its Right-to-Match (RTM) cards to bring back Jake Fraser-McGurk and Mukesh Kumar, reinforcing both their top order and bowling attack. Veteran Faf du Plessis was roped in to provide experience and leadership, while young Indian and overseas talents like Harry Brook, Ashutosh Sharma, and Sameer Rizvi added further depth.

The squad now boasts a strong mix of experienced campaigners and emerging stars, aiming to break their title drought under the leadership of Axar Patel, with du Plessis as vice-captain.

Despite the Pant controversy, the team management remained firm on its vision of building a fresh squad capable of sustained success. With a dynamic batting order, a formidable bowling attack led by Starc and Kuldeep, and a renewed sense of direction, Delhi Capitals are set to bounce back stronger in IPL 2025. 

Whether this overhaul finally delivers their long-awaited first IPL title remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—DC has taken a bold step toward a new era.

(As of March 2025)