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shaw-dhawan
Delhi Capitals have one of the strongest lineups on paper in IPL 2021. The IPL 2020 finalists will look to go one step further this season and win their 1st IPL trophy. With former skipper Shreyas Iyer out injured, Rishabh Pant will now be at the helm of affairs for DC in IPL 2021. The top order of the Delhi franchise struggled to make an impact in IPL 2020. That said, here is a list of the most likely opening combinations for DC in IPL 2021:
3. Marcus Stoinis and Shikhar Dhawan
At no 3 on this list is the duo of Marcus Stoinis and Shikhar Dhawan. While Stoinis was brilliant in the middle order in IPL 2020, he could also provide an opening option up top. While Prithvi Shaw failed to impress in IPL 2020, Dhawan was quite fantastic in the IPL last season. In 17 matches, Dhawan amassed an impressive 618 runs, with a superb strike rate of 144.73. Meanwhile, Stoinis piled up runs playing as an opener in the BBL 2020-21. Hence, the duo of Stoinis and Dhawan could exploit opposition bowlers with a right-left batting combination.
2. Ajinkya Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan
It has clearly been established in recent times that Ajinkya Rahane is not the best middle-order batsman. In fact, Rahane has seen more success playing as an attacking batsman up top rather than playing in the middle order. Brought in to replace Shreyas Iyer, Rahane could be best utilized as an opener or at the no 3 positions. Any lower than that would be a complete waste of his potential. Another lethal right-left batting combination, Rahane and Dhawan are at no 2 on this list.
1. Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan
The duo of Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan is clearly the most likely to open for DC in IPL 2021. Prithvi Shaw did not have the best outing with DC in the IPL last year. After some careless batting, Shaw was dropped midway in the IPL 2020. Prior to his return, he failed to impress again, only to be dropped for the 2nd time in IPL 2020. However, the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy completely changed Shaw’s fortune. Shaw finished as the tournament’s highest run-scorer, amassing 850 runs in just 8 innings. After a spectacular domestic outing, Shaw will look to replicate his performance in the IPL this year.