IPL 2018: Game Plan For Delhi Daredevils at the Auction

Delhi Daredevils has been one of the most underperforming teams in the Indian Premier League over the ten years. The first two seasons went Delhi’s way as they made it to the semi finals in both the edition but couldn’t make it to the final in both the editions. They finished fourth in 2008 and third in the 2009 edition of the cash rich league.

The team reached the play-off stage again in the fifth edition in 2012, but except for that, the franchise has struggled to make it to the business of the tournament in every other edition.

Retention Policy-:

An IPL franchise can retain maximum three capped Indian players, two foreign capped players and two uncapped Indian players. Franchises which do not retain any player from their squad get three options of right to match. The Governing Council has also set the salary for every franchise for the next three seasons. Franchises will have a cap of 80 crores in 2018, 82 crores in 2019 and 85 crores in 2020.

Player Retained by DD-:

Delhi Daredevils have shelled out 33 crores of the available 80 crores by retaining three players in the form of Chris Morris, Rishab Pant and Shreyas Iyer. The Delhi based franchise has struggled in the past, so by retaining these three players they have tried to maintain a local flavor in the team alongside their best foreign player in the previous season. Delhi now have 47 crores in the salary cap.

Rishab Pant 

Rishab Pant is considered as one of the brightest youngster in the Indian domestic circuit and has performed consistently in the domestic circuit while playing for Delhi. He has played two seasons for the Delhi Daredevils and has impressive numbers to his name. Pant averages 25.73 in the 24 matches he has played for the franchise and has scored 564 runs.

Chris Morris

Chris Morris has also been retained by the Delhi franchise for his all round ability to bat and bowl. He has been an asset for the Delhi Daredevils in the four seasons he has played for the franchise. Morris has been retained for 7.1 crores but 11 crores will be deducted for retaining him.

Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer has made a name for himself while playing for the Indian team in recent times and has proven his ability to bat against the top quality bowlers. Iyer has played 32 matches in the three seasons for the Delhi Daredevils and has scored 807 runs of the franchise. Iyer has been retained for 7 crores and the same amount will be deducted from the salary purse.

However, Delhi Daredevils will be looking forward to the auction day to build a strong side and the management will be drawing a plan for the big day. Let’s have a look at the franchise’s gameplay and the auction.

Local Young Talent-: 

The Delhi based franchise has been heavily reliant on the young Indian brigade and has bought most of the emerging Indian talent in the past. The franchise will be looking forward to scout more Indian talent and get the most of them. With Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant already retained by the management, another two or three players will help them build a side around them.

Proper investment-:

Daredevils have already retained three players in the form of Chris Morris, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant which means that they have spent 33 out of the 80 crores available in the salary cap. The management will now have to think very wisely and look out for some bargain buys on the auction day.  

Balance between Youth and experience-:

DD as the franchise is widely known amongst the fans must learn from their past mistakes. As discussed earlier, they have been heavily reliant on the local young talent which has occasionally backfired for them. They will be looking forward to maintain a balance between youth and experience in the side. As previous reports have suggested, the franchise has shown interest in buying Gautam Gambhir who has played for Delhi before.

A Leader-: 

Delhi Daredevils have struggled to have a constant captain in the different editions of the tournament. The management will be looking for a player with leadership qualities. Gambhir has led KKR to two IPL titles and having him in the side will give them an option of an experienced leader.

Target Marquee players-:

Marquee players bring stability in the side. However, the price of a marquee player is on the higher side but most of them do justice to their price and make an impact for the side. DD will be looking to have a marquee player in their side.

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