Delhi Capitals:
The biggest news in the IPL auction that lasted for two days in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia was the purchase of Rishabh Pant by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 27 crores. Delhi Capitals had not released their captain and since then it was certain that Pant would fetch a huge amount in the auction and the same happened. Rishabh Pant’s departure from Delhi was a big deal, because Rishabh Pant was not only the captain but he also played the role of finisher and wicketkeeper. In such a situation, the fans were interested in which player Delhi Capitals buys in the auction and which one it does not.
Delhi Capitals did not have a captain and it was certain that they would go all-out in the auction after either Shreyas Iyer or KL Rahul. However, Delhi Capitals bought KL Rahul and that too for Rs 14 crores. This amount is also less in this sense because while Lucknow paid Rs 27 crore for Rishabh Pant, Punjab paid Rs 26.75 crore for Iyer. In such a situation, Delhi has at least done a better job by buying KL Rahul for just Rs 14 crore. Apart from this, he has also bought Faf du Plessis. Delhi has acquired Faf for just Rs 2 crore.
Our pride. Our squad. Our Tigers💙
Ready to roar in IPL 2025 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XQNlPauRle
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) November 25, 2024
Delhi has two captains
Rishabh Pant and Delhi Capitals have now parted ways, so the question arises as to who will lead Delhi. Delhi Capitals have not one but two captaincy options. Delhi can hand over the captaincy to KL Rahul. Apart from this there is also Faf du Plessis. KL Rahul has first led Punjab and then Lucknow. Whereas Faf du Plessis was the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore last season.
Both have good captaincy experience. Apart from this, if Delhi wants, it can also decide to hand over the captaincy to Akshar Patel. Akshar, who has been associated with the franchise for a long time, was retained by Delhi for Rs 16.50 crore. However, there is a high possibility that Delhi will go with KL Rahul only.
Yorker King will prove to be the X factor
Delhi’s strongest aspect this time is its bowling. The franchise has bought Mitchell Starc for only Rs 11.75 crore, while they also have T Natarajan, for whom the franchise has paid Rs 10.75 crore. T Natarajan is known for his yorkers and he has impressed a lot in the last over. The team also has Mukesh Kumar, Mohit Sharma. Apart from this, with the presence of Dushmantha Chameera, Delhi’s fast bowling seems to be its strong side. However, in the spin department he has the pair of Kuldeep Akshar.
what is weakness
If the pair of Akshar and Kuldeep flops, then the team does not have any other big name in spin. Apart from this, the bench strength of Delhi Capitals is very weak. If any player gets injured, the team has his replacement, but due to the absence of any big name, Delhi may face problems.
Team’s Perfect Playing XI: Fraser-McGurk/Faf du Plessis, KL Rahul (wk), Abhishek Porel, Harry Brook, Tristan Stubbs, Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar
Delhi Capitals Team: Faf du Plessis, Karun Nair, Sameer Rizvi, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Harry Brook, Ashutosh Sharma, KL Rahul, Abhishek Porel, Donovan Ferreira, Axar Patel, Tristan Stubbs, Madhav Tiwary, Tripura Vijay, Manwant Kumar, Vipraj Nigam, Ajay Mandal , Darshan Nalkande, Mukesh Kumar, Mohit Sharma, T Natarajan, Mitchell Starc, Dushmantha Chameera, Kuldeep Yadav
Delhi Capitals’ IPL 2025 Auction Highlights: Rishabh Pant’s Exit and the New Era
The IPL 2025 auction, held over two days in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, delivered its fair share of surprises and record-breaking deals. Among the most talked-about moments was the massive ₹27 crore bid for Rishabh Pant by the Lucknow Super Giants. This move marked the end of an era for Delhi Capitals, as Pant, their captain, finisher, and wicketkeeper, parted ways with the franchise.
Fans had been eagerly speculating about Pant’s future ever since it became clear he would command a significant price in the auction. Delhi Capitals’ decision not to retain him turned out to be pivotal, leaving the franchise without a captain and raising questions about their strategy going forward.
Delhi Capitals’ Captaincy Conundrum
With Pant no longer in the squad, Delhi Capitals had no designated captain ahead of the auction. Speculation mounted that the team would go all-in to acquire a leader like Shreyas Iyer or KL Rahul. Ultimately, Delhi managed to secure KL Rahul for ₹14 crore—a sum considered a bargain compared to the ₹27 crore spent by Lucknow for Pant or the ₹26.75 crore Punjab paid for Shreyas Iyer.
Additionally, Delhi added Faf du Plessis to their roster for a surprisingly modest ₹2 crore. The acquisition of these two experienced players has now given Delhi not one but two solid captaincy options.
- KL Rahul: With prior leadership experience at Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, KL Rahul is a proven captain. His calm demeanor and strategic thinking make him a frontrunner for the role.
- Faf du Plessis: The former South African skipper and ex-captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore brings immense experience and a winning mentality.
A wildcard option for the captaincy could be Axar Patel, a long-standing member of the Delhi Capitals. Retained for ₹16.50 crore, Axar is a vital part of the team and could be considered if the franchise wants a homegrown leader. However, the odds favor KL Rahul taking the reins.
Delhi Capitals’ Bowling Strength: The X-Factor
One of Delhi’s standout features this season is its bowling attack, which boasts a mix of experience and raw talent.
- Mitchell Starc: Acquired for ₹11.75 crore, the Australian pacer brings firepower and expertise to the lineup. Known for his lethal yorkers and ability to swing the ball at pace, Starc will be a key player.
- T Natarajan: Delhi shelled out ₹10.75 crore for Natarajan, a bowler renowned for his pinpoint yorkers and death-over prowess. Dubbed the “Yorker King,” Natarajan is expected to play a crucial role in tight matches.
Supporting them are dependable players like Mukesh Kumar, Mohit Sharma, and Dushmantha Chameera. The team also has a strong spin duo in Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. However, the spin department’s depth is limited, which could become a concern if injuries or form issues arise.
Delhi Capitals’ Weaknesses
Despite its strong bowling attack and captaincy options, Delhi Capitals do have some vulnerabilities:
- Limited Spin Depth: Beyond Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, the team lacks experienced spinners. If this pair underperforms or faces injuries, the lack of quality backups could hurt Delhi’s chances.
- Weak Bench Strength: While the team has replacements for most positions, the absence of marquee names in the reserves could be a problem during critical phases of the tournament. Injuries to key players might expose this weakness further.
Delhi Capitals’ Full Squad for IPL 2025
Here’s the complete list of players acquired by Delhi Capitals in the auction:
- Batsmen and All-Rounders:
- Faf du Plessis
- Karun Nair
- Sameer Rizvi
- Jake Fraser-McGurk
- Harry Brook
- Ashutosh Sharma
- KL Rahul (wk)
- Abhishek Porel (wk)
- Donovan Ferreira
- Axar Patel
- Tristan Stubbs
- Madhav Tiwary
- Tripura Vijay
- Manwant Kumar
- Vipraj Nigam
- Bowlers:
- Ajay Mandal
- Darshan Nalkande
- Mukesh Kumar
- Mohit Sharma
- T Natarajan
- Mitchell Starc
- Dushmantha Chameera
- Kuldeep Yadav
Delhi Capitals’ Likely Playing XI
Delhi Capitals’ first-choice lineup could look like this:
- Jake Fraser-McGurk / Faf du Plessis
- KL Rahul (wk)
- Abhishek Porel
- Harry Brook
- Tristan Stubbs
- Sameer Rizvi
- Axar Patel
- Mitchell Starc
- Kuldeep Yadav
- T Natarajan
- Mukesh Kumar
Delhi Capitals’ Vision for IPL 2025
The franchise seems to be aiming for a balanced approach by building around a mix of experienced internationals and promising young players. With KL Rahul likely at the helm, the team’s batting lineup has been bolstered by the inclusion of versatile players like Harry Brook and Tristan Stubbs. Meanwhile, the bowling attack, spearheaded by Starc and Natarajan, promises to deliver breakthroughs in crucial moments.
The biggest question remains whether Delhi can adequately address its weaknesses, especially the thin spin depth and bench strength. These factors could be decisive in determining the team’s fortunes in IPL 2025.
Social Media Buzz
Delhi Capitals’ official Twitter handle captured the excitement of the auction with a post:
OUR PRIDE. OUR SQUAD. OUR TIGERS. READY TO ROAR IN IPL 2025.
PIC.TWITTER.COM/XQNLPAURLE
Fans are eagerly waiting to see how the team performs under its new leadership and revamped squad. The departure of Rishabh Pant may mark the end of an era, but with the right strategies, Delhi Capitals can usher in a new chapter of success.
Conclusion
The IPL 2025 auction has set the stage for an exciting season for Delhi Capitals. While the loss of Rishabh Pant is significant, the acquisition of KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis provides the franchise with strong leadership options. Additionally, a robust bowling lineup led by Mitchell Starc and T Natarajan positions Delhi as a formidable contender.
The team’s journey in IPL 2025 will largely depend on how well the new players integrate and whether the franchise can overcome its weaknesses. With a mix of experienced stars and young talent, Delhi Capitals are ready to roar into the upcoming season.
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