3 best opening combinations for DC for IPL 2025 ft. KL Rahul & Faf du Plessis
Delhi Capitals (DC) shelled out ₹72.80 crore to secure the services of 19 players in the IPL 2025 auction. They chose to retain four players - Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs and Abishek Porel ahead of the event.
Surprisingly, DC let go of their captain Rishabh Pant and veteran batter David Warner. Nevertheless, they managed to get back Australian top-order batter Jake Fraser-McGurk through RTM card. Meanwhile, the Capitals probably got captaincy contenders in the form of seasoned performers KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis.
Other notable acquisitions were Mitchell Starc, T. Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar (RTM) and Harry Brook. The likes of Ashutosh Sharma and Mohit Sharma could also prove vital for the side.
On that note, let's look at the three best opening combinations for DC for the IPL 2025.
#3 Faf du Plessis & Abishek Porel
The team management could opt for the opening partnership of Faf du Plessis and Abishek Porel in case of injuries to their first-choice openers. This is a slim possibility because Faf du Plessis isn't guaranteed to be part of the XI.
However, the 40-year-old has a credible record at the opening slot in the IPL. He has garnered 3,802 runs at an average of 37.27, with 33 fifties. On the other hand, Porel scored 159 runs at a strike rate of 165.63 in three innings last season as an opener.
A right-left hand combination could also prove to be lethal for the Capitals.
#2 KL Rahul & Faf du Plessis
If DC decide to have experience at the top, KL Rahul & Faf du Plessis can be a great pair as openers due to their consistent performances in the league.
As an opener, Rahul has amassed 4,183 runs at a prolific average of 48.64 in 99 innings, with four centuries, in the IPL. Over the years, he has displayed the ability to bat through the innings and can be a reliable run-scorer for the franchise.
If Rahul maintains the same mindset, Faf can play with an attacking approach and provide a flying start to the franchise. More importantly, the duo can be potent enough against any bowling unit, and can pace the innings well to keep the team in good stead.
#1 KL Rahul & Jake Fraser-McGurk
This is the best possible opening combination for the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025. The opposition bowling unit would have to battle with the ice and fire of KL Rahul & Jake Fraser-McGurk, respectively.
Fraser-McGurk stole the limelight last season as an opener in seven out of nine games. The right-hander smashed 210 runs at a sensational strike rate of 238.64. He hit 84 off 27 against Mumbai Indians and helped the side register their highest-ever total of 257. The stand-and-deliver approach of the youngster could be too much for the bowlers.
If Fraser-McGurk's explosive mindset works, it would infuse confidence into KL Rahul. The 32-year-old would bring more stability, with runs coming from the other end, and he could concentrate on steering the team at his pace.