IPL 2021: What will be 2020 finalists Delhi Capitals' strategy for February auction?

Delhi Capitals, like Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab, are one of the three teams to have never won the IPL title. Royal Challengers Bangalore have tried three times but have failed at crucial stages. Delhi Capitals and Kings XI Punjab have reached the final but they have never won the title. Delhi Capitals finally overcame their jinx in the playoffs as they reached the final but they were denied by a dominant Mumbai Indians who secured their fifth title. By their performance in IPL 2020 and having reached Qualifier 2 in IPL 2019, Delhi Capitals have shown that they are a capable team who can upset any team on their given day. 

The Delhi Capitals consists of some of the best bowlers in the world, with Kagiso Rabada ending up as the leading wicket-taker. Rabada was well-supported by Anrich Nortje as the bowling attack intimidated the opposition with their pace. However, the Delhi Capitals were plagued by two factors in IPL 2020. Towards the business end of the tournament, Delhi Capitals suffered a massive dip in momentum as they lost four consecutive games on the trot. Delhi Capitals were also plagued by injuries, with Ishant Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin falling to injuries at a crucial time. However, in the bat, they had Shikhar Dhawan and Marcus Stoinis in great form but there was a lack of support from Ajinkya Rahane and Prithvi Shaw. The youngster, in particular, was in poor form and he will be determined to overcome the rut. 

Delhi Capitals squad released players and updated purse

Players released: Daniel Sams(T), Harshal Patel(T), Mohit Sharma, Alex Carey, Keemo Paul, Sandeep Lamichhane, Jason Roy and Tushar Deshpande

Updated purse: Rs 12.8 crore

Updated Squad: Shreyas Iyer, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, Ishant Sharma, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Lalit Yadav, Pravin Dubey, Kagiso Rabada, Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis, Anrich Nortje, Chris Woakes.

Delhi Capitals strategy for IPL 2021 auction

Delhi Capitals traded Harshal Patel and Daniel Sams to Royal Challengers Bangalore before the start of the player retention and release list. The batting order looks in solid touch with Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Marcus Stoinis and Rishabh Pant all forming part of a solid core. Delhi Capitals may be aiming to get some solidity in the middle order after Ajinkya Rahane and Shimron Hetmyer both failed to be consistent in the previous editon. The bowling attack includes Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin and Marcus Stoinis as well. Lalit Yadav also impressed while Pravin Dubey also got one game.

Delhi Capitals would be aiming to get a solid legspinner and also a solid middle-order batsman in the IPL 2021 auction. With only Rs 12.8 crore remaining, Delhi Capitals might not be aiming for too many buys in the auction.