Aakash Chopra says opening woes led to Delhi Capitals’ downfall in IPL 2025

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes not having a stable opening pair led to the Delhi Capitals’ downfall in IPL 2025. Chopra noted that DC tried seven different opening duos but it didn’t work out for them. 

Delhi Capitals won their opening four matches and looked all set to qualify for the IPL 2025 playoffs. However, they could only manage three wins in next games (with one no-result) and thus could not make it to the last four.

“One thing that went against them was that they were unable to figure out whom they should open with. They were actually winning until Jake Fraser-McGurk was playing, but they had no option but to drop him. They had to go with seven different opening combinations. They tried everyone, but it didn’t work out for them,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

The renowned commentator said DC failed to utilize KL Rahul at the top of the order, which would have been an ideal batting position for the flamboyant batter. Rahul scored 539 runs in 13 matches at an average of 53.90 and a strike rate of 149.72.

“They realized right at the very end that they should think about what’s right for KL Rahul because they used to think about what’s right for the others. They left the breadcrumbs for KL Rahul as he would manage,” he added.

The former Delhi cricketer feels that some kind of arrogance also led to DC’s failure. DC noted that the franchise didn’t name Harry Brook’s replacement despite the availability of Dewald Brevis.

“Some amount of arrogance also hit this team because Harry Brook wasn’t coming. However, they didn’t take anyone else. They didn’t even think about taking anyone. Dewald Brevis was available, but they said they didn’t need him. It was too late by the time they took (Sediqullah) Atal and played him,” he said.

Chopra highlighted that Axar Patel’s team didn’t effectively use in-form Ashutosh Sharma properly as he batted down the order.

“They didn’t have an idea about what needed to be done in the batting order because they had assembled all top-order batters in the auction. Everyone wanted to bat in the top three, but how many can? Ashutosh Sharma had form, but they weren’t using him properly,” Chopra noted.

DC ended IPL 2025 at fifth place after seven wins, six losses, and one no-result.