Delhi Capitals will plan to strengthen their reserves for IPL 2021 and Punjab Kings will aim for some key players to make a balanced squad.
While Delhi Capitals had a fantastic IPL 2020, Punjab Kings had a forgettable one under their new skipper. Delhi Capitals will plan to strengthen their reserves for IPL 2021 and Punjab Kings, with a new name will target to add some key players to make a balanced squad.
Delhi Capitals
Retained: Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ajinkya Rahane, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan, Axar Patel, Ishant Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, Prithvi Shaw, R Ashwin, Shikhar Dhawan, Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis, Lalit Yadav, Anrich Nortje, Pravin Dubey, Chris Woakes.
Released: Alex Carey (wk), Keemo Paul, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Lamichhane, Mohit Sharma, Jason Roy.
Traded: Harshal Patel, Daniel Sams (players traded to RCB)
Purse: INR 13.40 crore
Slots available: 8, overseas 3
Target:
Delhi Capitals had a dream run to their maiden final in the last IPL. With not much left in the purse, the Capitals would like to be very specific in this auction. They look mostly steady with a strong Indian core; a couple of back-ups will do the needful. Delhi may focus on buying a cover for Pant, an overseas all-rounder as back-up for Stoinis, and an overseas opener. After trading Sams to Royal Challengers Bangalore, the Capitals might also want to strengthen their fast-bowling unit.
Players DC could bid for:
Alex Hales
The English batsman had a dream Big Bash League which will put him in focus in the auction for IPL 2021. He amassed 543 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 161.6 with three fifties and one century and ended the tournament as the highest run-getter of the season. His 30 sixes and 54 fours make him a major attraction for this year’s IPL. With Shaw in an indifferent form, the pair of Dhawan and Hales can be a destructive combination at the top.
Umesh Yadav
After releasing Deshpande and Mohit, Delhi may look for an experienced Indian fast bowler. Umesh, who had been released by Bangalore ahead of IPL 2021, can be the perfect fit. With the experience of more than 100 IPL matches, Umesh has the required value and depth to add to the team combination. In 121 IPL matches so far, he has taken 119 wickets at an average of 30.
Punjab Kings
Source: Twitter (IPL)
Retained: KL Rahul (c & wk), Nicholas Pooran (wk), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda, Prabhsimran Singh, Mohammed Shami, Chris Jordan, Darshan Nalkande, Ravi Bishnoi, Murugan Ashwin, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, Ishan Porel.
Released: Glenn Maxwell, Sheldon Cottrell, K Gowtham, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Jimmy Neesham, Hardus Viljoen, Karun Nair.
Purse: INR 53.2 crore
Slots available: 9, overseas 5
Target:
Punjab Kings will aim to strengthen their middle-order batting line-up. They lost some close matches in the last edition, and the lack of solidity in the middle-order was too evident. The Punjab side boasts of some fantastic domestic talents and will try to grab a good overseas all-rounder as replacement for Maxwell. Another important buy for the Kings will be a bowler, especially for the death overs.
Players PK could bid for:
Shakib Al Hasan
To fill in Maxwell’s shoes, Shakib could be a great option for Punjab Kings. Back after suspension from international cricket, Shakib is expected to be a prime attraction tomorrow. He last featured in the 2019 edition of IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad. In 63 IPL matches, he has scored 746 runs with two fifties and picked up 59 wickets. The former World T20 No.1 all-rounder with his hard-hitting ability and left-arm spin can fulfil the requirement of Punjab Kings.
Jhye Richardson
With over Rs 53 crores in the purse, the Kings are likely to have a good time at the IPL 2021 auction. They must rope in a pacer who can lead their attack. The core already has Indian players like Shami, Arshdeep and Brar. Richardson will add value and depth to the combination. He was the leading wicket-taker in the Big Bash league, with 27 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 13.30.