The Delhi Capitals had their best IPL season last year. Earlier, the Delhi-based franchise would struggle in the playoffs. However, in IPL 2020, they finished second on the points table. Then, they beat the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Qualifier 2 to reach the final. However, the Mumbai Indians defeated them in the summit clash.
The Delhi Capitals have retained their core group of players for IPL 2021. Their batting looks very strong. However, their bowling looks a little weaker now following the release of some talented players. Also, they need a solid back-up wicket-keeper. Here are the seven players Delhi might target in IPL Auction 2021.
7. Mushfiqur Rahim
Mushfiqur Rahim is one of the top wicket-keepers in the world. However, he has not earned an IPL contract to date. The Delhi Capitals could sign him before IPL 2021. They have released Alex Carey. The Aussie did not have a great debut season with DC.
Rahim is a veteran of 202 T20 matches. He has played much cricket in India. Also, the conditions in Bangladesh are almost similar to some Indian venues. Rahim has scored 4,288 T20 runs at a strike rate of 127.96. Notably, he has taken 106 catches and executed 47 stumpings.
6. Mujeeb ur Rahman
The Delhi Capitals have let go of Sandeep Lamichanne ahead of IPL 2021. They need a back-up leg-spin bowling option. Amit Mishra got injured last year. At the last moment, they brought in Pravin Dubey as a replacement. However, the plan did not work out.
Mujeeb ur Rahman is one of the top-ranked spinners in T20 cricket right now. He has played for KXIP in the IPL. Besides, the Afghan features in almost all T20 leagues. Hence, DC could sign him and reunite him with Ravichandran Ashwin. Rahman will enjoy bowling at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
5. Akash Singh
Akash Singh was a part of the Indian squad in the U-19 World Cup 2020. He was quite impressive with his pace bowling. RR signed him last year. However, they benched him for the entire season. They preferred Kartik Tyagi over him.
Akash is a talented fast bowler. Delhi Capitals could groom him to become the next big thing. DC have released Mohit Sharma, Harshal Patel, and Tushar Deshpande. So, they need an Indian pacer. Akash Singh could do that job well.
4. Chris Morris
Delhi Capitals also released Keemo Paul ahead of IPL 2021. They need a solid back-up option now for their frontline foreign pacers. Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada were excellent in 2020. However, injuries could happen at any time. So, DC need to have a proper back-up.
Chris Morris could take up that spot. He has played many games in Delhi. In the past, Morris was a match-winner for the Delhi-based franchise. Thus, the Proteas star could return to his former franchise. Morris played for RCB in IPL 2020.
3. Heinrich Klaasen
Speaking of South Africans, Heinrich Klaasen could be a fantastic addition to the Delhi Capitals. Klaasen is a phenomenal batsman. He can also keep the wickets. So, DC could sign him as a back-up keeper. Klaasen has played in the IPL before as well.
He made his IPL debut for the Rajasthan Royals. Later, he shifted to the Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, no franchise signed him in 2020. Klaasen could play the finisher’s role. He could be a back-up option for Shimron Hetmyer as well.
2. KS Bharat
KS Bharat is another back-up wicket-keeping option available. He has not played for India yet. However, he has made it to the squad multiple times. Bharat has achieved more success in the longer formats. However, the Delhi Capitals could give him a chance to prove his worth in T20s.
The reason why DC could sign Bharat is that he is an Indian player. Last year, DC had to change their combination when Rishabh Pant got injured. Alex Carey, being an overseas player, DC had to change some other players also. The same could happen if they sign Klaasen or Rahim. Hence, Bharat could be a great choice.
1. S Sreesanth
Sreesanth will likely return to the league in 2021. He has already returned to domestic cricket. In an interview, Sreesanth stated that some franchises had even approached him. So, Sreesanth will likely enter IPL 2021 Auction. Delhi will be keen to sign him.
As mentioned ahead, the Delhi Capitals need an Indian fast bowler. Sreesanth will bring experience to the table. He was a part of India’s 2007 T20 World Cup team. Also, he was a member of the 2011 World Cup squad. Hence, Sreesanth could also perhaps bring the luck factor and end DC’s title drought in the IPL.
