IPL 2024 Auction: DC's possible auction strategy, five players they can target, remaining purse and more

Delhi Capitals (DC) are in need of an overhaul after a disastrous 2022 season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) where they finished ninth in the points table. Rishabh Pant missing IPL 2023 and the poor form of their star players resulted in a season with nine defeats and only Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) poorer performance helped DC avoid a last-place finish.

The franchise began the rebuilding work by releasing 11 players for the 2024 season. Here’s the current squad and their possible auction strategy.

DC Retained players: Rishabh Pant, 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, Mukesh Kumar

DC Released players: Rilee Rossouw, Chetan Sakariya, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Phil Salt, Mustafizur Rahman, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ripal Patel, Sarfaraz Khan, Aman Khan, Priyam Garg

Purse left: Rs 28.95 crore

Slots left: 9 (4 overseas)

DC Auction Strategy

Fast bowling and lower middle-order batting look like an area of concern for DC. Delhi released a lot of pacers including the left-armers Chetan Sakariya and Mustafizur Rahman. Kamlesh Nagarkoti is also out. Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Khaleel Ahmed, Ishant Sharma and Mukesh Kumar are good options but DC would look to add a few more options to be ready for poor form and injuries. It’s a surprise that Chetan Sakariya was released and we can see DC now going for at least two pacers – one Indian and one foreigner.

Also, with Phil Salt and Rovman Powell leaving, DC are in search of a finisher. Their current batting makeup is very top-heavy.

Besides pacers and finishers, DC could also look for a spinner and a backup opener.

Players DC Can Target

Dilshan Madushanka

The Sri Lanka pacer stunned a lot of fans with 21 wickets in the ODI World Cup and could be a target for DC in the auction. He is a wicket-taker and also brings in the left-arm angle.

Shahrukh Khan

Delhi are in need of a finisher and Shahrukh Khan can fill that gap. He struck at 166 last season but Punjab Kings decided to release him. Now DC have a chance to bring in an Indian finisher.

Rovman Powell

Don’t be surprised if DC are back in the market for Rovman Powell. They released the West Indian a while back but the big man is in top form and Delhi are in desperate need of adding big hitters from the lower order to their squad.

Michael Bracewell

Bracewell is another lower-order batter who not only can score at a brisk pace but his off-spin bowling can add an extra edge to DC’s repertoire.

David Willey

A bowler who can also bat, DC need such a player. They have good bowlers but can they score runs under pressure? The former England player Willey can and that will make him a target for Delhi.