Last Updated:
Here’s a look at 5 players Delhi Capitals can target in the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah.
From Jos Buttler to Harshal Patel: 5 Players Delhi Capitals Can Target at IPL 2025 Mega Auctions (AFP)
Inconsistency, injuries and unavailability: factors that plagued DC last season in the IPL. While there were flashes of brilliance from the batters, lack of consistency and failure to fire as a unit came to bite them back. And now, they aim to go all out, as the franchise sets off on a rebuild.
DC retained only four players – Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, and the uncapped Indian batter Abhishek Porel — and opted to let go of skipper Rishabh Pant for whom a bidding war can be expected in the upcoming IPL mega auctions.
With a new coach and a new director of cricket in place in Hemang Badani and Venugopal Rao respectively with GMR set to control the operations as part of the co-ownership deal with JSW, the DC are signalling a major rebuild in the upcoming season.
5 Players DC Can Target
Jos Buttler
It was a surprise to many when Rajasthan Royals ignored Buttler and let him walk. Buttler, who joined the franchise in 2018, was a cornerstone of their batting lineup. He claimed the Orange Cap in IPL 2022, scoring 863 runs and helping Rajasthan reach the final.
Known for his aggressive yet versatile batting, Buttler would be eyed by many a franchise as a lethal weapon to possess in their ranks. If DC were to allow veteran David Warner to walk, then Buttler could easily come in as a firecracker of an opener to pair up with young Aussie Jake Fraser-McGurk, who DC may possibly look to retain with the aid of the RTM. The England batter could also come in to fill the role of the wicketkeeper that has been left wide open after the departure of talisman Pant.
Harshal Patel
DC made their priorities clear in retaining Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, both highly effective spinners of the ball who can wreak havoc in the middle overs. But there exists a glaring hole in the pace department and Harshal Patel might just the be the answer to their issues.
Despite ending IPL 2024 as the leading wicket-taker with 24 scalps to his name, Punjab Kings seemed uninterested in retaining the experienced pacer. Harshal’s acumen, especially regarding the IPL where he has thrived, will aid DC in acquiring a pacer who can spearhead their bowling attack.
Jake Fraser-McGurk
Despite his poor showing at the international stage, one cannot unsee the sheer destruction that the young Fraser-McGurk brought upon every single team that stood in DC’s way. So, it would be hard to not imagine DC try to secure his services yet again by way of the RTM option.
The swashbuckling opener, who came in as an injury replacement for bowler Lungi Ngidi, had impressed the cricketing world in his debut IPL season with his fearless batting for DC, hammering 330 runs in nine matches at a punishing strike-rate of over 234, leading the batting order with gusto and sheer aggression.
Shreyas IyerÂ
After having led KKR to a successful outing in IPL 2024 where they emerged as the winners, skipper Shreyas Iyer was released with no regard. With the departure of Pant, and the need for a proven asset at the helm, DC might just eye a motivated Iyer, who has been on a mission of his own lately, as he aims to play his way back into the Indian team across all formats, after not being offered a central contract by the BCCI earlier this year.
Gerald Coetzee
In yet another move that can help bolster the bowling ranks with some raw pace, DC could also possibly consider taking in the Proteas pacer Coetzee, who was released by Mumbai Indians after a decent season where he scalped 13 wickets in 10 matches, plying his trade in the death overs alongside the inimitable Jasprit Bumrah.
Coetzee’s recent performance against India, where he played a pivotal role in South Africa’s victory, may also be taken as positive signs. Therefore, it would definitely not be too far off to expect DC to throw their hat in the ring and try to acquire the services of the South African.
Discover more from Divya Bharat 🇮🇳
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.