Predicted DC Playing XI vs PBKS: Not Prithvi Shaw, Abishek Porel to replace Pathum Nissanka?

The Delhi Capitals (DC) need to rejig. After yet another solid start to their Indian Premier League (IPL) season, they’ve derailed. That 1-run defeat to the Gujarat Titans looks worse after every passing match. The batting isn’t working. The top-order, barring consistent KL Rahul, hasn’t clicked. Sameer Rizvi’s golden form lasted 2 matches. Pathum Nissanka isn’t pulling his weight as an overseas player, and Nitish Rana has one good score after 4 matches.

Porel in, Nissanka out?

Now might be the time to pull the plug on Nissanka and bring a domestic opener to the mix. Rahul remains consistent but isn’t aggressive at the start of his innings. His strike rate in the first 10 balls in the powerplay is just 122.69 since IPL 2025. The issue is that Nissanka isn’t really a fast starter either: 134.29. You need to pair someone who races off the blocks with Rahul, or else DC will fall behind, as they won’t maximise the powerplay.

Delhi has two good options to replace: Abishek Porel and Prithvi Shaw. Now, the former played 13 matches last year and was expected to play in 2026, but the management chose Rizvi and Rana over him. As for Shaw, he didn’t play in 2025. So, now, DC has to pick between the two. All things point towards Porel getting the nod, since he’s one of the fastest starters.

Strike rate in first 10 balls in powerplay in IPL (2021 onwards)

While Shaw didn’t play last season, Porel had a 163.04 strike rate in his first 10 balls faced in the powerplay. This is better than Phil Salt (141.91) and Travis Head (147.97) since 2025. Abhishek Sharma, the best opener in the IPL, isn’t way too ahead at 170.15.

Should DC drop T Natarajan?

Now, if Nissanka goes out, a foreign slot gets open. So, who takes it? DC doesn’t have another overseas batter. But they have Rehan Ahmed, who was announced as a replacement for Ben Duckett. However, if Vipraj Nigam, a proven player, isn’t getting in, how will Rehan?

Mitchell Starc isn’t available for now. That leaves Kyle Jamieson and Dushmantha Chameera. The latter was expected to be a starter, much like Porel. But Lungi Ngidi piped him, and one has to credit DC for that call. Since Ngidi and Mukesh Kumar are doing well with the new ball, getting Jamieson in doesn’t make much sense. Chameera does go for runs but is a wicket-taker.

At this moment, T Natarajan isn’t doing that. He’s gone wicketless in the last 4 matches. His economy remains under 10, which is good considering where he bowls. But taking wickets is what slows the run rate down in the modern IPL era, with impact subs and batting till number nine in many cases.

Predicted Delhi Capitals Playing XI vs RCB

S. No.PlayerRole

1	KL Rahul (wk)	Wicketkeeper opener
2	Pathum Nissanka	Opener
3	Nitish Rana	Top-order batter
4	Tristan Stubbs	Middle-order batter
5	David Miller	Middle-order batter
6	Axar Patel (c)	All-rounder
7	Ashutosh Sharma	Finisher
8	Kuldeep Yadav	Left-arm wrist spinner
9	Mukesh Kumar	Right-arm fast bowler
10	Lungi Ngidi	Right-arm fast bowler
11	Dushmantha Chameera	Right-arm fast bowler
Impact Player	Vipraj Nigam/ Auqib Nabi/ Sameer Rizvi/ T Natarajan

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