DC IPL Retention: Capitals retain three capped players with immense potential, likely to target Shreyas Iyer in auction

Delhi Capitals have gone through a slump in recent years, failing to make the playoffs in each of the last three seasons. This came on the back of three consecutive playoff appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2020, which is probably why they might be looking to head in a different direction. Ricky Ponting is no longer their head coach, with former India batter Hemang Badani succeeding the ex-Australia captain, and Rishabh Pant, rather sensationally, is not their captain anymore . Nor a Delhi Capitals player at this point.

As It Happened | IPL Retention: 10 teams announce their list of of retained and released players

Which players have DC retained?

Axar Patel (capped) – Rs 16.5 crore

Kuldeep Yadav (capped) – Rs 13.25 crore

Tristan Stubbs (capped, overseas) – Rs 10 crore

Abishek Porel (uncapped) – Rs 4 crore

Purse remaining: Rs 73 crore.

Thought process behind DC’s retentions

There is a high chance most of the Capitals’ post-retention discourse will be about the one player they didn’t (or couldn’t) retain. But they have done well to tie down three capped players with immense potential.

Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav are part of India’s highest spin-bowling echelon across formats and will likely spearhead India’s T20 World Cup defence in 2026. Add to that Axar’s burgeoning reputation as a batter, and the Capitals have two players who they can build their team around.

Tristan Stubbs, like Axar and Kuldeep, has been touted for greatness. Now a regular member across formats for South Africa, he had a wonderful 2024 IPL campaign and was unstoppable at the death. And with the talent at his disposal, he could mirror what Heinrich Klaasen does for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Read | IPL Retention: SRH’s Klaasen, RCB’s Kohli among top retentions; Rahul, Iyer and Pant released

The Capitals have also taken a punt on Abishek Porel, with Pant not in the mix. He can be their wicket-keeper and top-order batter for years to come, and has already shown that potential in the IPL.

Possible auction strategy

Well, they need a captain, first and foremost. Of the four they have retained, only two are expected to bat in the top five, so a world-class overseas batter could be at the top of their wish-list.

There may be a few excellent Indian top-order options available that the Capitals might be interested in as well (more on that later). They have also not retained any pacers and with their spin duo selecting itself, this is an area that they may splash heavily on.

Players DC are likely to target in the auction

Shreyas Iyer. That is the first name that jumps out. Due to him having played for the Capitals before and having led them to the final, plus his exploits as captain at the last IPL. He will not come cheap (of course) but considering he solves multiple problems, the Capitals could break the bank for him. KL Rahul might also figure in their discussions, however, his captaincy and his T20 batting, in recent times, has been under scrutiny.

There is also not much clarity on what went down between Pant and the franchise. But if there is an option to bring him back on board, they will most definitely want to explore it.

Jos Buttler, from the overseas batter pool, also makes plenty of sense. And he could lead the side too, if required. Not to mention the carnage he could cause on a flat track and a small ground in Delhi.

David Warner, having been with the franchise, may also be an alternative, with Phil Salt and Will Jacks (who plays for the Pretoria Capitals) also fitting that sort of bill. Another name they might be interested in is Harry Brook. He was due to play for the Capitals in the 2024 season but could not participate owing to personal reasons.

The Capitals would also ideally want a top-drawer overseas pacer. Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Trent Boult could be in the fray, along with Kagiso Rabada, who was part of DC’s most successful years as a franchise. Anrich Nortje, who was retained ahead of the last mega-auction, might also pique their interest.

Among Indian seamers, Deepak Chahar, Mukesh Kumar and Tushar Deshpande might be a part of their list. But if they get the chance to sign Mohammed Shami, given what they need in their squad, they will probably jump at that opportunity.

There are, undeniably, a few holes to plug but the purse they have should give them the requisite flexibility to mould the squad to their liking.