Should Delhi Capitals Stop Changing Their Top Order? Ajay Jadeja Weighs In

New Delhi, April 28 (NationPress) Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja has expressed that the Delhi Capitals (DC) must cease their frequent adjustments to the top-order in IPL 2025. He noted that the batting styles of KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis contributed to their defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

DC began their IPL 2025 journey with an impressive five consecutive victories. However, their performance at their home ground, Arun Jaitley Stadium, has been lackluster, suffering two losses in three matches.

Their sole victory here came in a thrilling Super Over against the Rajasthan Royals. Next, they will face the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), on Tuesday, hoping to secure their second home win in New Delhi and enhance their playoff chances.

“What they need to focus on is maintaining consistency in the lineup. They initially used Jake Fraser-McGurk for several games, but after his poor performance, they reverted back to Faf du Plessis once he recovered from injury. This uncertainty is a concern, especially since KL Rahul is a pivotal player,” Jadeja mentioned during a virtual session with IANS on Monday.

During the match against RCB, du Plessis, returning from a groin injury and playing for the first time since April 10, struggled to find his rhythm, scoring just 22 runs off 26 balls. Rahul, on the other hand, faced difficulties as RCB's spinners applied pressure, resulting in him managing only 41 runs off 39 balls.

The partnership between du Plessis and Rahul for the third wicket yielded just 28 runs off 31 balls, with a single boundary. “In the last game against RCB, the partnership between Rahul and du Plessis was not effective. They both have similar playing styles. DC was performing well until that match, where Rahul's approach necessitated everyone else to adapt,” Jadeja elaborated.

“When both Faf and KL are crucial to the team, it alters the game's pace, which is where they faltered in the last match. That’s a key area where DC needs to improve,” Jadeja added.

The results from the matches this week and next week will play a significant role in determining the playoff spots for IPL 2025. Jadeja emphasized that the pressure is high for both the top four (RCB, GT, MI, DC) and the bottom four (CSK, RR, SRH, KKR), albeit stemming from different sources.

“The pressure is on the top four, who feel they have worked hard throughout the tournament. In contrast, the bottom four, facing less pressure, have everything to gain,” Jadeja explained.

“In this competition, the teams with something to lose carry the most pressure. Yes, the stakes are high, but that’s the essence of league tournaments – it’s not a knockout,” he concluded.

Catch the Delhi Capitals vs. Kolkata Knight Riders at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, as the race for the IPL 2025 playoffs heats up, live and exclusively on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network.