Shreyas Iyer to DC?: The Delhi Capitals (DC) have undergone with ownership change, shuffle in coaching staff and have even released their icon player. Rishabh Pant, who has been synonymous with DC since 2016 but now he will enter the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. We don’t know the exact details on why they took such step, but DC now have to look forward.
While no player is bigger than the team, DC is known for representing Pant. However, DC went ahead with four retentions, not involving Pant. Axar Patel, at Rs 16.50cr, was their top pick followed by Kuldeep Yadav (Rs 13.25cr) and Tristan Stubbs (Rs 10cr). Abhishek Porel was the only uncapped retention at Rs 4 crore. Regardless, Pant will now enter the IPL 2025 mega auction. Will they go in for him again?
With the mega auction slated to happen on November 24-25, we have made a “Dream XI” for the Delhi Capitals (DC). Below, we have put the best possible combination that the DC could pick at the auction. While we know that no one can predict what happens at an IPL auction, it’s important to note that this is a purely speculative exercise. On that note, let’s hop into it!
DC. 1) Abhishek Porel (wk)
Abhishek Porel announced himself to the big stage when he clubbed 25 runs off the bat against Harshal Patel in DC’s first IPL 2024 match. The Bengal keeper has been untrusted massively as he is the only uncapped retention for the franchise. With 621 T20 runs at a SR of close to 150, Porel undoubtedly has a massive talent in him. However, IPL 2025 will be of huge importance for him, in order to live up to his backing.
DC. 2) Jake Fraser-McGurk
Delhi Capitals had a choice to make between Tristan Stubbs and Jake Fraser-McGurk. They ultimately chose the South African, who doubles up as a keeper as well. As far as McGurk is concerned, he should’ve been on the retention list too. After all, at 22, he is a future superstar and his potential is through the roof. JFM had a breakout IPL 2024, where he didn’t shy away from humbling the likes of Jasprit Bumrah as well. This IPL season, he made 330 runs at an unheard strike rate of 234.04. Hence, we feel DC should use the RTM card for him.
DC. 3) Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer back to DC – Ask any Delhi Capitals fan and they would love this! The IPL 2024 winning captain is no stranger to the Capitals. Iyer began his IPL career with DC and could make a return after DC have lost their skipper. With an experience of playing over 200 T20s, Iyer has mustered 5,629 runs. DC have a budget of Rs 73 crore, and hence are better suited than most of the franchise to acquire the hot property of Iyer.
DC. 4) Nehal Wadhera
Although Nehal Wadhera had a mediocre Emerging Asia Cup recently, he has showed his massive potential in the handful opportunities he has got with MI. He plays a bit similarly like Tilak Varma but has a better power hitting game. In 16 innings, he has made 350 runs in IPL at a strike rate of 140.00. Remember his 51-ball 64 in a high-octane clash against CSK? In that match, MI were floundering at 69/4 in 11 overs but Wadhera stuck through and single-handedly took MI to a respectable total. He will find a new lease of life at DC and could the franchise could see the future in him.
DC. 5) Tristan Stubbs (Overseas)
Another retention comes in the form of Tristan Stubbs. The South African has been retained at Rs 10 crore, an amount he would’ve certainly got had he entered the IPL 2025 Auction. After all, Stubbs is an explosive middle-order batter, a skill that every IPL team wants. Ahead of the 2024 IPL auction, Stubbs was not retained by MI, opening the door for a new franchise to step in. DC, seeing promise in his potential, bid for him at his base price of Rs 50 lac. This strategic acquisition proved highly beneficial for Delhi, as Stubbs delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 378 runs across the season. He emerged as Delhi’s second-highest run-scorer, hitting three half-centuries and finishing only behind Pant. More importantly, his strike rate of 190.9 startled everyone.
DC. 6) Sikandar Raza (Overseas)
A highly underrated T20 player, Sikandar Raza could end DC’s ailing issue of an all-rounder. He can be extremely useful on the decks at the Arun Jaitley Stadium and can bat anywhere. The Zimbabwean superstar recently even clubbed a 43-ball 133*. Raza has an experience of playing over 250 T20 matches, in which he has 5,315 runs and has taken 157 wickets. He would even form a great partnership with Axar Patel with the bat.
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DC. 7) Axar Patel
Here comes the costliest DC retention, Axar Patel. The lad was the only retention in IPL 2018 when he was with the PBKS. Now, similar is the case with DC, showing how consistent he has been in the league. He is a bankable 4-over bowler (can even bowl in powerplay). Moreover, in case of a collapse, Axar is the most ideal batter to arrest a slide. For DC, the willy spinner has made 967 runs and even has 120 wickets.
DC. 8) Shivam Mavi
Without much thinking, DC should be aiming to get India pacer Shivam Mavi in their ranks. After being bagged by LSG for 6.4 Cr for IPL 2024, the 25-year-old had to miss the entire season due to a fourth stress fracture. Anyways, the pacers and up and about now, and is performing in the Ranji Trophy for UP at the moment. For the record, Shivam Mavi has played 32 IPL matches in his career, and has bagged 30 wickets. He has had a decent economy rate of 8.71. While it would be ideal for DC to buy back Rasikh Salam, if they don’t Mavi would be a great option. He is a decent batter too.
DC. 9) Kuldeep Yadav
Wrapping another Indian superstar, Kuldeep Yadav got a massive, massive pay rise. Can you really believe the fact that Kuldeep Yadav’s contract was worth just Rs 2 crore at the franchise! Well, someone like Kumar Kushagra, who made just 3 runs last season, earned a whopping Rs 7.20 crore alone. Regardless, with the new retention slabs, Kuldeep was the second-choice retention and got a 662% rise, getting Rs 13.25 crore now. At DC, Kuldeep has bagged 47 wickets at an economy of 8.13 in 39 innings.
DC. 10) Kagiso Rabada (Overseas)
It was a surprising move by PBKS when they released Kagiso Rabada. After all, he is one of the best all-format pacer in world currently and is also the fastest bowler to take 100 IPL wickets. Just like Shreyas Iyer, it could be a homecoming for Rabada too, who took 76 wickets in just 50 games for DC. He almost won Delhi an IPL trophy in 2020, a season where he claimed 30 wickets in 17 matches.
DC. 11) Khaleel Ahmed
Khaleel Ahmed is also an underrated commodity. He has an experience of playing over 100 T20 matches. In IPL, he has a great record than what many perceive. Across 57 innings, Khaleel has 74 wickets at an economy of under 8.9. Khaleel has developed his bowling massively in recent times, creating his left-arm angle against right-handers more acutely. Moreover, he has worked on his yorkers, getting the best of bests on multiple occasions. DC would love to acquire him back.
Dream XI for Delhi Capitals after IPL 2025 Auction
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