Delhi Capitals (DC) is one of the few sides that have yet to experience an IPL triumph despite being there from the start of the league in 2008. They have come close on a few occasions and the latest is when they lost to Mumbai Indians in the final of the IPL 2020 season. But the Delhi-based side has shown some consistency in recent years, something which was missing in the large part of the last decade.
This is partially due to the players they have had at their disposal and minimal personnel changes. Even in IPL 2024, with a young, vibrant team, DC finished sixth but gave a good account of themselves winning seven matches under the leadership of Risbhah Pant. That season gave them a few young stars who have the potential to take them forward.
Here in this article, we will discuss the probable retentions that will be done by Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auctions.
Rishabh Pant
One of India’s leading players and T20 World Cup winner is all but certain to be retained by the Delhi Capitals. Coming back from a career-threatening accident, Rishabh Pant made an immediate impact with bat scoring 446 runs at a stunning strike rate of over 155, while also leading the team. The left-hander has been a constant figure for the Capitals’ since his IPL debut in 2016 and will continue to horn the blue jersey in the coming years as well.
Axar Patel
Another certainty to be retained by DC is their spin-bowling all-rounder Axar Patel. The ever-improving Axar was the designated deputy to Rishabh Pant and has represented the franchise in 82 games since 2019, taking 62 wickets & taking 967 runs. In the 2024 season, Axar showed his all-round brilliance making 235 runs and picking 11 wickets. He has also improved by leaps & bounds as an international cricketer and with Pant, he will be part of DC’s core team.
Jake Fraser-McGurk
A player who gave DC a fresh lease of hope in the 2024 season was the young Aussie batter Jake Fraser-McGurk. The 22-year-old came into the side at the halfway mark of the season and took the league by storm with his hitting exploits. He hit four half-centuries in just 9 innings and he made an aggregate of 330 runs at an astounding strike rate of 234.04 which is phenomenal. This could propel his case to being one of the retentions of DC ahead of the 2025 IPL auctions.
Tristan Stubbs
Another overseas batter who made a significant impact in the IPL 2024 season was the South African Tristan Stubbs. Batting in the middle order, the 24-year-old played some crucial knocks and ended as the team’s second-highest run-getter behind Rishabh Pant. He made 378 runs in just 13 innings with the help of six 30+ plus scores, including 3 half-centuries, and the best part is his strike rate (190.91) throughout the season.
Abhishek Porel (Uncapped)
Abhishek Porel, the 21-year-old batter from Bengal made a solid case for himself to be retained by the franchise as an uncapped player. Playing just his second seaosn of IPL, Porel was impressive at any role he was asked to play but created the maximum impact as an opener, where his both his half-centuries came. His inclusion made their batting order that much strong and his 327-run season with a SR of 159.21 should be enough for DC to retain him as their uncapped player.
Kuldeep Yadav (RTM)
One of the most improved spinners in world cricket, Kuldeep Yadav can be match-winner with the ball on his day. The left-arm chinaman bowler has played a key role for DC since his debut for the team 2022 taking 47 wickets in 39 games. His ER is on the higher side (8.13), it is pretty common for an attacking spinner to go for runs and the Capitals would look to have him back in the set up. While they may not be able to retain the 29-year-old but could very well use the “RTM” on him.
Check out the same list for other IPL teams here.
