DC Predicted XI vs GT: KL Rahul to open, pace attack depleted with no Mitchell Starc

DC is arguably the worst-hit team due to their overseas stars not returning for the remainder of IPL 2025. But then, finally after a lot of back-and-forth, vice-captain Faf Du Plessis is back and will stick around for rest of the tournament. That becomes really crucial for a team, who are in the fifth spot in the points table, and can still make the IPL 2025 playoffs.

While they might not be at their full-strength on Sunday, when they take on GT, but still, out of the available resources, they need to come up with the best possible team. InsideSport takes a look at DC Predicted XI for their GT clash.

KL Rahul to Open Along With Abhishek Porel

KL Rahul and Abhishek Porel are the best DC batsmen in this season, and Axar Patel needs to ensure that the duo bat at the top of the order, no matter what. Rahul has been excellent and has scored 381 runs at an average of 47, while Porel has struck 265 runs. South African Faf can follow at No. 3, with Axar at No. 4, and then Tristan Stubbs.

Karun Nair Not Needed

Now the time has come for DC to go for the kill. And maybe, just maybe, the team does not have enough time for experimentation. So, it is better for them to get in hard-hitting Ashutosh Sharma after Stubbs, and Karun Nair not be included at all. As for batting after that, there is also Vipraj Nigam, who can score a quickfire 30-40.

Without Mitchell Starc, Bowling a Big Concern

Get your best guys now, it’s that simple for DC. There won’t be any Mitch Starc in the line up. After the Aussie, Kuldeep Yadav has been their best bowler, who has 12 wickets in 11 matches, and he would be their main bowler. Axar Patel will have to do better with the ball, and complete his full quota for sure. Mukesh Kumar is a certainty too, along with Sri Lankan experienced pacer, Dushmantha Chameera.

Mustafizur Rahman joins the team after this match, so he can be drafted in later.