Renowned cricket commentator Aakash Chopra has shared his thoughts on the possible retentions for Delhi Capitals ahead of the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). With another mega auction on the horizon, the ten teams are set to finalize their core squads while releasing most of their players.
Delhi Capitals (DC), formerly known as Delhi Daredevils, are still in pursuit of their maiden IPL title despite multiple attempts. Over the years, they have experimented with new captains, revamped their team name, and updated their jerseys but have yet to achieve their ultimate goal of lifting the trophy.
‘Rishabh Pant needs to be retained’ – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra, speaking on his YouTube channel, believes that Rishabh Pant will be the team’s top retention, dismissing earlier rumors about his possible exit. Pant has been instrumental in leading the team to numerous victories, making him a prime candidate for the retention slot with a proposed salary of INR 18 Crores.
“Rishabh Pant needs to be retained, although there were rumors earlier that he might not stay. Now, it’s confirmed that he will remain with Delhi Capitals as their first retention,” Chopra remarked.
Chopra also emphasized Axar Patel’s significance to the team. He praised Patel’s all-round performances, suggesting that DC should prioritize retaining him. “Axar Patel should be the second retention for DC. Bapu’s performances have been outstanding. He contributes with the ball, bats exceptionally well, and is a top-notch fielder. If you put him in the auction, you’d end up paying a lot for him,” Chopra explained.
The debate on the third retention revolves around the young batting sensation Jake Fraser-McGurk and spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Chopra feels DC will have to make a tough decision on whom to retain and whom to target with the right-to-match (RTM) card.
Delhi Capitals’ retention strategy for IPL 2025 is eagerly anticipated as they aim to build a squad capable of winning their first-ever IPL title.
