Delhi Capitals do not need major squad surgery during the auction on February 18 as they have a strong core to go all the way.
It was an agonizing end to IPL 2020 for Delhi Capitals as they were convincingly defeated by Mumbai Indians in the final. However, the squad had taken massive strides towards becoming a strong outfit that can soon win their first IPL title.
Going into the auction on February 2018, DC doesn’t have a big purse to spend. They don’t need wholesale changes as the current group of Indian and overseas players is capable of mounting a strong claim for the trophy this season. However, they have room for making some season-defining tweaks to the team that can help them to take that final step in their bid to taste glory.
Released:Â Alex Carey, Keemo Paul, Sandeep Lamichhane, Tushar Deshpande, Mohit Sharma, Jason Roy
Retained:Â Shreyas Iyer (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Ishant Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, Prithvi Shaw, R Ashwin, Rishabh Pant, Shikhar Dhawan, Lalit Yadav, Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Daniels Sams, Anrich Nortje
Players traded: Daniel Sams and Harshal Patel to Royal Challengers Bangalore
Updated Remaining Purse: Rs 13.40 crores
What should DC look for in the auction?
DC mostly needs backup players during the auction that can come in and fill the role of key players when they are rotating the squad throughout the tournament. An explosive batsman should be on the agenda who can fill in for Hetmyer. Glenn Maxwell on a lower fee would be a smart acquisition for the Delhi-based franchise. The Australian batsman has been in fine form lately.
Since they have three foreign slots ready to be filled, the other two key areas that need addressing are backup wicketkeeper-batsman and pace bowler. Jhye Richardson has enjoyed a terrific Big Bash League, so he could be the one filling in for Daniel Sams. In terms of wicketkeeper-batsman, they should try to get Carey back or make an attempt to sign Sam Billings. Both players have been in fine form during the last 12 months or so.
Strong Indian core will benefit Delhi Capitals in 2021
Delhi is one of the few teams that have a strong Indian core, which is gold dust in IPL. Shikhar Dhawan provides experience at the top, while Prithvi Shaw on his day is an explosive batsman. Rishabh Pant provides impetus in the middle order with Shreyas Iyer playing the role of anchor.
With a good core of Indian batsman in the squad, DC has a nice foundation to score on any kind of pitch. The likes of Shimron Hetmyer and Marcus Stoinis also provide more solidity to the batting unit. Meanwhile, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje led the bowling unit superbly in UAE that had an economic spinner in Akshar Patel. Keeping this core group of players will provide DC much-needed consistency. Adding at least two complementary players around them will make DC an even more formidable outfit.