The Delhi Capitals (DC) are looking to revamp their squad after a disappointing last season in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The franchise has released some of their experienced players, such as Phil Salt and Manish Pandey, ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. The aim is to bring in fresh talents and fill the gaps in their team composition.
DC have retained their captain Rishabh Pant, along with 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, and Mukesh Kumar. They have a purse of Rs 28 crore remaining, and they will need to spend wisely to build a balanced and competitive squad.
Who are the players they might target in the auction? Here are six potential candidates:
Rachin Ravindra:
The New Zealand all-rounder is a rising star in the T20 format. He can bat in the top order, bowl left-arm spin, and field brilliantly. He was impressive in the 2023 World Cup, scoring 578 runs at a strike rate of 106 and taking five wickets. He has a base price of Rs 50 lakh, and he could be a bargain buy for DC.
Mitchell Starc:
The Australian fast bowler is one of the best in the world, and he is set to make a comeback in the IPL after a long gap. He can bowl with pace, swing, and accuracy, and he can also contribute with the bat. He was part of the RCB squad in 2014 and 2015, but he missed the next three seasons due to injuries. He was bought by KKR in 2018, but he did not play for them. He has a base price of Rs 2 crore, and he could be a valuable addition to DC’s bowling attack.
Travis Head:
The Australian batsman is a versatile player who can open the innings or bat in the middle order. He can play both aggressive and anchor roles, and he can also bowl off-spin. He was instrumental in Australia’s ODI World Cup victory in 2023, scoring 329 runs, including a century in the final against India. He has a base price of Rs 1.5 crore, and he could be a reliable option for DC’s batting unit.
Gerald Coetzee:
The South African fast bowler is a young and exciting prospect who can bowl with pace and bounce. He has played only four T20Is for his country, but he has impressed with his skills and temperament. He can also hit some big shots with the bat. He has a base price of Rs 20 lakh, and he could be a steal for DC.
Daryl Mitchell:
The New Zealand all-rounder is a game-changer who can bat in the middle order, bowl medium pace, and field superbly. He has played 25 T20Is for his country, scoring 374 runs at a strike rate of 143 and taking 14 wickets. He has a base price of Rs 50 lakh, and he could be a handy player for DC.
Pat Cummins:
The Australian all-rounder is a pace sensation who can also score crucial runs down the order. He was the captain of the Australian team that won the ODI World Cup in 2023, and he was also the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 21 scalps. He has a base price of Rs 2 crore, and he could be a dream pick for DC.
These are some of the players DC could target in the IPL 2024 auction, but they will face tough competition from other teams. DC have a reputation of being a smart and aggressive bidder, and they will hope to assemble a strong team for the upcoming season. Will they be able to challenge for the title in IPL 2024? The suspense is mounting.
