Delhi Capitals (DC) have announced their retention list for IPL 2025, and shockingly, Rishabh Pant is not included. Having played his last two seasons as captain, it’s quite fascinating that not only has he been removed as captain but also chucked away from DC, who are making a serious overhaul. First, a change in management (JSW to GMR), then in the support staff, and now the entire outlook of the team has been transformed as Pant leaves DC.
DC retention list for IPL 2025
But Pant’s loss is Axar Patel‘s gain. The all-rounder has been DC’s best performer over the last couple of seasons and has finally reaped the rewards. Axar is Delhi Capitals’ top retention for IPL 2025, while Kuldeep Yadav and Tristian Stubbs are the second and third retentions. The Capitals have decided to only go with one uncapped player. That will be wicketkeeper batter Abhishek Porel, who impressed everyone with his versatile play last season.
Unlike most franchises, who’ve left just one spot on an RTM card, DC have decided they’ll take a punt on a couple of their players. That means they’ll spend just Rs 47 crore for their retentions and will have a whopping Rs 73 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction. Of course, whether it’s the right or wrong move can only be judged next month at the auction table.
Retention No. 1 (Rs 16.5 crore) – Axar Patel
Retention No. 2 (Rs 13.25 crore) – Kuldeep Yadav
Retention No. 3 (Rs 10 crore) – Tristian Stubbs
Retention No. 4 (Rs 4 crore) (uncapped) – Abhishek Porel
Retention No. 5 – RTM
Retention No. 6 – RTM
Purse left – Rs 76.25 crore
Not retaining Fraser-McGurk & Rasikh Dar, a mistake?
There are some notable inclusions. Pant’s was indicated for some time, especially after his midnight post speculating how much money he’d get if he were to go to the IPL 2025 mega auction. So, let’s put him away. The other key players who might have been discussed but didn’t get retained are David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Anrich Nortje, Rasikh Salim Dar, and Jake Fraser-McGurk.
Prithvi Shaw’s performance hasn’t been great. Had he been uncapped, maybe he could have been retained for Rs 4 crore, but otherwise, there isn’t a chance that DC or any other team decides to persist with him. Anrich Nortje hasn’t been the same since his injury. The Protean pacer averaged 42 last season and went over 13 runs per over.
Now, let’s get to the interesting ones. David Warner and Jake Fraser-McGurk, the master and protege. The two Aussie openers had contrasting performances last season. The veteran was injured, and when he did play, it wasn’t great. Meanwhile, the Rooster wasn’t in DC’s first XI, but when he did come in, he shocked everyone. In another world, he might have been picked over Tristian Stubbs, but it wasn’t to be. JFK might still return to DC if they choose to use an RTM card for him.
The real victim is Rasikh Salim Dar. The pacer can clock up to 150 clicks, and although he wasn’t that great in IPL 2024, at 24, he’s still pretty good. He was a nightmare to face in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup and could have easily been retained for Rs 4 crore.
DC’s IPL 2024 Squad
Rishabh Pant (c), Pravin Dubey, David Warner, Vicky Ostwal, Prithvi Shaw, Anrich Nortje, Abishek Porel, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Lungi Ngidi, Lalit Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Mitchell Marsh, Ishant Sharma, Yash Dhull, Mukesh Kumar, Harry Brook, Tristan Stubbs, Ricky Bhui, Kumar Kushagra, Rasikh Dar, Jhye Richardson, Sumit Kumar, Shai Hope, Swastik Chhikara, Lizaad Williams, Gulbadin Naib, Jake Fraser-McGurk
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