IPL 2020 Auction | Delhi Capitals- Dream, realistic, wildcard and suggested buys

BySritama Panda, SportsCafe Editor

12/15/2019

The Delhi team have been named as the Daredevils and Capitals, but the term that would really suit them is ‘Dark horses’ because that is what they’ve been throughout the twelve Indian Premier League competitions. Having reached excruciatingly close to the forefront, all they need is the final push.

Whoever came up with the idea of rechristening Delhi Daredevils to Delhi Capitals must be pretty great at their job since the change, undeniably, had a positive impact on the team. An extremely young team with a majority of their players in their early 20s. The youth-heavy strengthened by the addition of seasoned batsman Shikhar Dhawan to the mix, a decision that turned out to be a major advantage for the side that eventually made it to the top three, falling behind the top two, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, only due to net run-rate.

Having released 11 players ahead of the much-awaited IPL auction for the 2020 edition, Delhi Capitals have retained 14 players in their weaponry which include only three overseas players. As their head coach, Ricky Ponting, has already suggested that the franchise will be eyeing to rope in more overseas players in the auction, we’ve made sure to go by the veteran’s words.

The Missing Links

The team has only retained 14 players from last season and yet they seem to have all bases covered despite releasing a big chunk of players. Some of releasing/outward trading such as that of Trent Boult and Chris Morris came as a surprise. But that takes us to the next argument, that the team needs some specialist pacers.

Now, coming the batting mix, they have the top order absolutely set with an India-heavy talent. From Dhawan to Pant, the Delhi top-order hardly has a spot for anyone else. But what the batting needs is a late boost, the one of a finisher. And finally, the only department that needs no addition is their spin setup that is completely packed with Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Sandip Lamichhane and Amit Mishra.

The Dream Signing(s) - Glenn Maxwell

Delhi Capitals are a proud team when it comes to their batting line-up. And after having traded in the expertise of Rahane, Delhi have their No.1-5 spots are absolutely sealed and in fact, the former Rajasthan Royals mainstay might have to be on the reserve bench given the number of able batsmen in the Delhi cauldron. And that turns the focus to 6-7 positions, the spot that screams for a hard-hitter, a finisher, the dream.

We’re talking about the very natural, and the coach’s favourite Glenn Maxwell. The Aussie, who didn’t register for IPL 2019 is back to the fore, could just be the bridge between good and great for Delhi Capitals. The power-hitter, with a strike rate of 160 in T20Is, brings the spice to a traditional recipe. He’s experienced but as fresh the smell of a new book. He’s also an occasional off-spinner whose fielding skills are, needless to say, outstanding. And his IPL experience along with his performance early in this year just add a cherry on the top. So Maxwell is not just the man who serves as the key man of the Delhi middle-order but is also an all-round dream package that is perhaps too good to be true.

The Realistic Signings - Dan Christian and Ishan Porel

Well, the Maxwell dream, if comes true, could be a big deal for Delhi. But if, just if, they don’t catch hold of him, the team will have to come back to reality. After all, they have 11 slots to fill and 27.85 crores in their purse. But is it as lousy as it sounds? Don’t forget, the T20 format can be the shortest but it’s big by all means. Big and huge with an equally gigantic spectrum of opportunities. In Maxwell, Delhi would get a whole package and so, even though not a like-to-like replacement, Daniel Christian could be the key.

Despite an on and off association with the Australia cricket team, the pacer has risen through the ranks in the global T20 market for what he brings to the table. At his best, Christian serves as that complete package that Delhi dreams of and our man just channels that dream into reality. Apart from his ability to hit powerfully, his wicket-taking calibre is what makes him a big deal with the ball and just like Maxwell, his athleticism on the field is unquestionable. He has played consistently well for the Jozi Stars in the Mzansi Super League so that’s his T20 form. So even when you wake up from a Maxwell dream, it’s Dan the Man to rescue the team from the hardships of reality.

With opportunities aplenty in this format, there’s equal talent always lurking around. The promise that Bengal’s young and able Ishan Porel brings to the table is undeniable. And mind you, this 21-year-old fast bowler clocks speeds of 140kph and beyond. A talent this side is craving for. That team has released Boult and Morris and their current setup enjoys the services of Kagiso Rabada and Keemo Paul. What makes this attack a complete one is a local prodigy and who better than young Porel of U-19 fame. Apart from his exciting speed, the even better aspect is that he has mastered the art of bowling bouncers and yorkers at an incredible pace. His run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, followed by his five-fer in the 50-over Deodhar Trophy final last month must have attracted the attention of franchise owners. Given Delhi’s trend of promoting youngsters, Porel is one of the top contenders for the Indian fast bowler spot in the team.

The Wildcard - Jimmy Neesham

Now it’s time to look away from the hard-hitting reality and the high hopes of a dream. It’s time we combine those two and go for something that fills us with excitement. And that’s what T20 cricket is all about, isn’t it? But don’t worry, Neesham brings added value with himself. One of the wittiest cricketers on Twitter, Jimmy Neesham is all sparks and talent. The almost hero, who, after being faded away came back and almost took New Zealand to a World Cup victory this year. His all-round performance in the ICC mega event showcased what the attacking batsman can do. Following that, his consistent performances against England in the T20Is at home speaks volumes about his form.

SportsCafe Suggests - Saqib Mahmood and Ravi Bopara

Although we’ve already sported the name of Ishan Porel as the Indian fast bowler that Delhi might be interested in but keeping in mind the two major aspects of their needs, we’ve suggested someone from overseas. As already mentioned, Ponting is more inclined towards overseas recruits and that Delhi are always looking to add some young power to the attack. The combination of the two elements put together in an able fast bowler gives us a Saqib Mahmood. The muscular England pacer went under the radar of the England Cricket Board back in 2016 since he started clocking speeds of 90mph and finally after a successful season with Lancashire in the Vitality Blast, he earned a maiden international call-up and played T20Is in New Zealand. No wonder, the IPL owners should’ve their eyes on the quick and for Delhi, he is in fact, gettable too.

Not in the international scene any more? No worry. England’s veteran batsman and spinner Ravi Bopara has always kept his T20 spirit high. Mzansi Super League, Bangladesh Premier League, Vitality Blast, you name it! Bopara is everywhere. And the special thing about this wristy middle-order batsman is he performs everywhere and can bat anywhere and also yields results with the ball. He has done so for the Essex club in the T20 Blast, for Durban Heat in MSL and for the Rajshahi Royals in BPL. Going by his form, he is bound to be an owners’ delight at the much-celebrated IPL auction.