Delhi Capitals Auction Preview

Squad Size: 17

Purse Remaining: 12.9 Cr

Available slots (Overseas): 8 (3)

Who have they retained: 

Delhi has largely kept the squad that reached the finals of IPL 2020 intact. Their Indian core is still strong as ever having retained their captain Shreyas Iyer as well as batsman Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane and the spin duo of R Ashwin and Axar Patel. Last season’s purple cap winner Kagiso Rabada has also been retained along with Marcus Stoinis and Anrich Nortje who both had strong seasons in UAE. Chris Woakes, who pulled out of IPL 2020 due to injury has also been retained.

Who have they released:

Delhi Capitals have only released 6 players from their squad ahead of the upcoming auction. Overseas players such as Alex Carey, Keemo Paul and Sandeep Lamichhane hardly featured in UAE and have been released. They also let go of Jason Roy who pulled out of last year’s campaign due to injury. All-rounders Daniel Sams and Harshal Patel have been traded to the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

What they need: 

Looking at Delhi’s first XI, their team is virtually complete. The only thing Ricky Ponting will be looking for in this auction is adequate back-up. Rishabh Pant is the only wicket-keeper in the squad after they let go of Alex Carey and would need a back-up option. Similarly, they need an overseas all-rounder that can fill in for Marcus Stoinis and an overseas fast bowler to supplement the South African pace duo of Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada. DC also badly missed a leg-spinner in the latter half of the tournament after Amit Mishra was injured and they should target some backup in that department as well.

Players they can sign: 

There are very few Indian wicket-keepers left in the auction which means Delhi will have to look for an overseas option. Sam Billings has played for the franchise before and could be a possibility given that he keeps wickets and can bat anywhere in the middle order. In terms of pace bowling targets, they could look for some variety and opt for a left-handed pacer since they already have Woakes, Rabada and Nortje. Although Sheldon Cottrell had a poor year at KXIP, he could be a valuable squad player for the Capitals and fill in when needed. The leg-spinner they could go after is Piyush Chawla after he was released by the Chennai Super Kings.