The mega auction of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to take place ahead of IPL 2025, as the franchises embrace a major revamp of their squads ahead of the next season.
One of the teams that will be in focus ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction is Delhi Capitals (DC). The Parth Jindal-owned outfit knocked at the IPL playoff spots, with a surge of victories in the latter half of the season.
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DC is one of the only four franchises to have not won the IPL trophy. Their best finish, remains as runners-up to Mumbai Indians, back in IPL 2019.
As the Delhi Capitals aim to bring a maiden IPL trophy to the national capital, The Sporting News tries to predict the player's retention for the franchise ahead of IPL 2025.
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Who will Delhi Capitals retain ahead of IPL Auction 2025?
Per Cricbuzz, the BCCI is set to meet the IPL franchise owners to discuss the key issue of player retention. With the meeting scheduled for July 30 or 31, there are rumours that every team could be allowed a maximum of four retentions ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.
Going by history, a maximum of one overseas player and three Indian players could be retained by a franchise. As per media outlet PTI, here is the list of possible retentions for Delhi Capitals ahead of the mega auction.
Rishabh Pant
The talk of the town as far as IPL retentions are concerned, remains Delhi Capitals skipper, Rishabh Pant. Pant made a comeback in IPL 2024, after missing out on the previous season due to a tragic accident.
The wicketkeeper has been reportedly linked to five-time IPL champions, Chennai Super Kings. The CSK are targeting Pant to replace their evergreen skipper, MS Dhoni. Being an ideal replacement in all aspects, Pant could be tailor-made for the Yellow Army.
However, as per PTI, Rishabh Pant is a priority retention for his current employer, Delhi Capitals. DC would be unwilling to part ways with their skipper.
Axar Patel
Axar Patel has been a mainstay for Delhi Capitals over the past few seasons. His exploits at the T20 World Cup 2024 make him one of the first names on the retention list for DC. Axar's emergence as a first-choice spin-allrounder could change his fate, right ahead of the mega auction.
Axar has been instrumental in DC's performances in the last two seasons. Despite failing to make it to the playoffs, the 30-year-old all-rounder picked 22 wickets and has scored over 500 runs across 2023 and 2024 seasons.
The Capitals look set to extend their six-year-long association with their vice-captain, ahead of IPL 2025.
Kuldeep Yadav
Delhi Capitals has been a resurgent arc in the cricketing career of Kuldeep Yadav. After being an outcast at Kolkata Knight Riders, Kuldeep was snapped up by DC ahead of IPL 2022, for a base price of 2 Crore.
Three years on, Kuldeep has picked 47 wickets for Delhi Capitals, and was India's first-choice spinner at the T20 World Cup 2024. From couping a steal at 2 Crore, Delhi Capitals are set to reward Kuldeep Yadav a bumper pay-rise by including him in the retention list ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction.
Jake Fraser McGurk or Tristan Stubbs
Jake Fraser McGurk would be the Delhi Capitals' obvious choice as the overseas retention pick. Coming in as a replacement pick for Lungi Ngidi in IPL 2024, JFM bashed all teams in the league. Scoring 330 runs in just 9 games, the 22-year-old was one of the primary reasons that DC enjoyed a late surge at the knockout spots.
South African Tristan Stubbs could be another shout for the DC management. Stubbs has gained ample IPL experience, playing for Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the past. His performances for DC last season - 378 runs in 14 games - could be deserving of a retention ahead of IPL 2025.