IPL 2025: Rating teams based on their retentions and releases

9. Delhi Capitals (DC)

Interestingly, Delhi Capitals released their captain Rishabh Pant ahead of the auction. The wicketkeeper-batter led Delhi in 44 matches across IPL 2021, 2022, and 2024. The Capitals won 24 out of those games and lost 19.

According to reports, Axar Patel is set to take up captaincy. The spin-bowling all-rounder has been retained for INR 16.50 crore. Fellow India spinner Kuldeep Yadav has also been retained for INR 13.25 crore. Meanwhile, South African wicketkeeper Tristan Stubbs has extended his stay at the franchise for INR 10 crore. The talented wicketkeeper-batter, Abhishek Porel, who played some dashing knocks in IPL 2024, has been retained for INR 4 crore as the uncapped player.

The Capitals will have a budget of INR 73 crore and two RTM cards to play with in the mega-auction. If Axar takes charge as the skipper, the management will look to reinforce their batting department after releasing the likes of Prithvi Shaw, David Warner, and Mitchell Marsh among others. The fast-bowling department also needs strong additions.

Delhi have retained two experienced spinners and two talented young wicketkeepers. The rest of the squad will have to be picked tactically as the franchise looks to win its elusive first IPL title. The Arun Jaitley Stadium, which is the home ground of Delhi, has produced some phenomenal batting surfaces, where bowlers haven't had much assistance. The Capitals will need some explosive batters and fiery fast bowlers to take advantage of home conditions.