Who will open for Delhi Capitals, Prithvi Shaw will sit out? These two stars are giving tough competition, one is uncapped

New Delhi. Delhi Capitals team will play its first match in IPL 2026 against Lucknow Super Giants on 1 April. Like every time, this time Delhi will have its eyes on winning its first title, for which the team would like to start the season with a win. Delhi captain Akshar Patel will field a strong playing-11 on the home ground of Lucknow. The most talked about in the playing-11 of Delhi Capitals is about Prithvi Shaw. Delhi team bought this Indian batsman at the base price of Rs 75 lakh. The big question is whether he will get a chance in the playing-11? If space is available, will the responsibility of opening be handed over? Let us try to know the answers to these questions.

Will Prithvi Shaw open?
The biggest question from the playing-11 of Delhi Capitals is regarding the top-order. Last year, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Faf du Plessis had opened the innings, but now Delhi will go with KL Rahul. It is certain that Rahul will open. In such a situation, the question is who will be the second opener with him? It could be Prithvi Shaw, but along with him the team also has two more contenders – Abhishek Porel and Pathum Nissanka. Delhi can give a chance to Porel, because he was one of the highest run scorers last season. If this happens then it will be difficult for Prithvi Shaw to get a place in the playing-11.

Nitish Rana has returned to his home team Delhi after being traded from Rajasthan Royals. There is every possibility of sending him to number-3. Nitish plays spin bowling very well and can maintain the pace of runs in the middle overs. In such a situation, he can be sent on first down. Apart from this, with the arrival of David Miller, Delhi's middle-order has become even stronger. The team already has Tristan Stubbs and Ashutosh Sharma, who are experts in explosive batting.

Who will replace Mitchell Starc?
Mitchell Starc is currently not available to join the playing-11. In such a situation, lungi ngidi can be the best option in its place. How cleverly he used his slower balls in the T20 World Cup 2026. He can bowl brilliantly with the new ball and also in the death overs. Akshar Patel and Vipraj Nigam provide the necessary strength to the team as all-rounders. Last year, Dushmantha Chameera and Kuldeep Yadav performed well for Delhi, so they will naturally be included in the playing eleven.

Delhi's playing 11 could be like this against Lucknow
KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Porel, Nitish Rana, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Ashutosh Sharma, Axar Patel, Vipraj Nigam, Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi, Dushmantha Chameera.
Impact Players: Mukesh Kumar, Karun Nair, Sameer Rizvi, Aaqib Nabi, T Natarajan.