Delhi Capitals ended 5th in IPL 2025 – a point short of the playoffs. Axar Patel’s captaincy wasn’t bad, but there were signs of obvious trouble: brittle bowling, inconsistent game finish, and a lesser dependence on rhythm in top-order batting. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals fell to 9th position in the IPL because injury to Sanju Samson forced Riyan Parag into captaincy mode, and all the Rs 2 million players led the Royals to exactly two wins in eight games. Samson himself scored 285 runs in nine innings with a 140.39 strike rate, but nowhere near his best. With Rahul Dravid and RR’s coaching staff shedding off skins, the speculation about the next foundry for Samson intensifies. And, Delhi, as usual, seems to leer down the transfer window avenue.
A Luxury Purchase in a Fragile Market
If DC brings in Samson, someone expensive must go. Their salary chart already reads like a luxury tax warning: Axar Patel at ₹16.5 crore, KL Rahul at ₹14 crore, Tristan Stubbs at ₹10 crore. These are not passengers; they’re pillars. Rahul piled up 539 runs at a strike rate of nearly 150 last season, Stubbs chipped in 300 at 150.75, and Axar not only batted fluently (157 SR) but led admirably. Samson’s ₹18 crore tag, therefore, isn’t a signing; it’s an earthquake. To fit him in, Delhi would need to offload one of their match-winners, tearing apart a combination that’s just beginning to work.
Batting Riches, Bowling Poverty
Delhi’s real crisis isn’t who bats next, it’s who bowls after the powerplay. Their Indian bowling core was a weekly heartache. Mukesh Kumar’s 10.32 economy, Mohit Sharma’s two wickets in eight games, and Natarajan’s bruising 49-run spell in one outing scream imbalance. Even Dushmantha Chameera’s four wickets at 11.40 economy added to the chaos. If DC splurges ₹18 crore on a batter, they’ll have nothing left to rebuild their bowling, which is like buying a new chandelier when your ceiling is collapsing. Samson may bring flair, but he won’t plug Delhi’s bowling wounds.
The Core Already Clicks Without Him
KL Rahul, Abhishek Porel, Sameer Rizvi, Ashutosh Sharma, Karun Nair, that’s not a weak Indian core; it’s a future-ready batting engine. Abhishek’s 301 runs at 23 years old, Rizvi’s 153 SR blitzes, and Ashutosh’s 160+ strike rate scream potential. They’re cheap, hungry, and gelled. Samson’s arrival would mean letting go of two or three of these names, sacrificing flexibility for fame. Cricket logic says you build depth, not just dazzle. And Delhi, after years of chaos, is finally learning that lesson the hard way.
When Big Names Backfire
History isn’t kind to emotional IPL trades. Remember when Delhi splurged on Yuvraj Singh in 2015 for ₹16 crore? They finished seventh. Or when Punjab bet big on Maxwell in 2020, only to end sixth. Big names excite fans, but balance wins trophies, just ask the Gujarat Titans (2022) or Chennai (any year ending in 10 or 11). Delhi’s smartest move was retaining Rishabh Pant and investing in role-specific players, not repeating old mistakes. Sanju Samson, talented as he is, mirrors what Delhi already has: flair, fire, and fragility. What they lack is firepower with the ball.
Delhi Capitals don’t need another headline act; they need solutions. Signing Sanju Samson might thrill the fans, but drain the balance sheet and destabilize a fragile rebuild. With Rahul, Axar, and Stubbs leading a solid batting unit, the smarter call is to invest in bowlers, not brand names. Because in the IPL, stars fill seats, but balance fills trophy cabinets.
Key Takeaway
Delhi Capitals should fix their bowling leaks before lighting up their batting fireworks.
FAQs
- Why are the Delhi Capitals linked with Sanju Samson?
Reports suggest DC is exploring marquee signings after missing the playoffs by one point.
- Would Samson improve DC’s batting?
Maybe marginally, but they already have a strong batting core led by KL Rahul and Stubbs.
- What’s the bigger issue for DC right now?
Their bowling lacks bite. Without addressing that, no big signing will change their fortunes.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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