Delhi Capitals (DC) caused a stir recently when they decided not to retain Rishabh Pant. Nevertheless, they have opted to retain Abishek Porel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Tristan Stubbs. With a significant budget at their disposal for the upcoming mega auction, the team is in a strong position to make strategic acquisitions. Apart from strengthening their spin department, the Capitals are actively looking for top quality overseas batsmen, an overseas fast bowler and potentially an Indian seamer.

Retained players: Axar Patel (Rs 16.50 crore), Kuldeep Yadav (Rs 13.25 crore), Tristan Stubbs (Rs 10 crore), Abishek Porel (Rs 4 crore)

Remaining wallet: SEK 75 million

Auction strategy

The Capitals have the third largest budget in the league, giving them a significant advantage when it comes to acquiring top talent from India. It is very likely that they will aggressively pursue players like Pant, Rahul or Shreyas. Additionally, they have the resources to target high caliber international players, giving them more flexibility than many other teams.

In addition, Kapitalerna has two RTM (Right to Match) cards at its disposal, one of which can be used for Pawn. Other potential contenders include David Warner, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Mitchell Marsh. When considering Indian players, they may also consider Khaleel Ahmed and Mukesh Kumar.

Likely buys

Mohammed Shami

Shami recently returned to competitive cricket, which may have been a factor in Gujarat Titans’ decision not to retain him. But in his last match there were clear indications that he has maintained his skill level despite his previous injury.

In the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Shami played a crucial role in leading the Titans to consecutive finals. The Capitals, on the other hand, have faced challenges since the 2021 season and could benefit from having a proven match-winner like Shami in their lineup. His ability to make a significant impact with the ball could be just what the team needs to turn its fortunes around.

KL Rahul

Due to the resources available to Delhi Capitals, they are in a strong position to aggressively chase one of the three Indian batting stars in the upcoming auction. The addition of KL Rahul to their squad could be a strategic move as he has the ability to open the batting and lead the team. Rahul, like the Capitals, is in need of a fresh start in the IPL and has the potential to fit perfectly with the franchise’s goals and ambitions.

Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer, much like Rishabh Pant, has previously captained the Delhi Capitals and holds the title of their most successful skipper to date, having guided them to the finals of the 2020 season.

When he becomes available for the upcoming auction, Shreyas appears to be the perfect candidate to lead the team in a new direction if the Capitals choose to do so. Not only is he a skilled leader, he also has exceptional skills as a batsman in the middle order, making him a valuable asset on the field.

Rishabh pants

It may seem counterintuitive, but rumors are circulating that DC is considering bringing Pant back to the team. Although his return would come at a high cost, potentially exceeding what is required to retain him, the acquisition of a world-class Indian player who is intimately familiar with the franchise could prove to be a significant win for DC. This presents a potential win-win situation, assuming Pant is also open to the idea of ​​returning.

Read also| IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Sunrisers Hyderabad auction strategy, players retained, likely buys