India, March 13 -- For most of the IPL's history, Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru were often mentioned in the same breath - two popular teams bound by an uncomfortable and rather embarrassing statistic: neither had ever lifted the trophy.

In recent years, their potential was always a talking point leading up to the seasons and the fanbase's loyalty was unwavering. That narrative shifted last season when RCB finally broke their long-standing title drought, leaving Delhi as one of the league's most prominent franchises still waiting for its first title.

As a new season begins, Delhi will be hoping to follow a similar path. Like RCB before their breakthrough, DC have spent years assembling competitive squads, producing stand...