IPL 2023 Auction: Don't Think About Mayank Agarwal, You Might Get Ajinkya Rahane If You Need Backup – Aakash Chopra On Delhi Capitals' Auction Strategy
Published - 19 Dec 2022, 02:52 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM
Former India National Cricket Team batter Aakash Chopra has urged the Delhi Capitals (DC) franchise to not go after Mayank Agarwal at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 mini-auction and said that they might get Ajinkya Rahane for cheaper if they need a backup for opener Prithvi Shaw.
Mayank Agarwal was the first player retained by the Punjab Kings (PBKS) before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction and he was handed the captaincy. However, after his poor performance in IPL 2022, the Punjab-based franchise decided to release him.
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The 31-year-old opening batsman has set INR 1 crore as his base price for the mini-auction and will go under the auction hammer on December 23 in Kochi.
Speaking on his official YouTube channel, Chopra talked about Delhi Capitals’ mini-auction strategy. He said:
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“They don’t need a top-order batter. Please don’t even think about Mayank Agarwal. You might get Ajinkya Rahane if you need a cheap backup. You have very little chance of getting anything more from there.”
The Capitals haven’t made wholesale changes to their squad ahead of the mini-auction. Their biggest move was to trade expensive all-rounder Shardul Thakur to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). They have INR 19.45 crore left in their purse and have a maximum of five slots to fill.
They have a big purse left and don’t need too many players – Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator said that the Capitals have a big purse and they should invest a big amount to acquire the services of a proper all-rounder.
He said: “They have a big purse left and don’t need too many players. They need a 10-12 crores player. If they can get an all-rounder because it seemed Mitchell Marsh is an all-rounder but doesn’t bowl.
“If he doesn’t bowl, none of your top four or five bowl. If they get a good all-rounder, they might think about not playing Rovman Powell, they might play Mitchell Marsh, David Warner at the top and an all-rounder along with Anrich Nortje.”
Aakash Chopra further said that the Delhi-based franchise might get Jason Holder at the auction.
He said: “Which are the all-rounders available? They are all usual suspects – Sam Curran, Cameron Green, Ben Stokes and Jason Holder. They can afford one of them for 10 to 12 crores. But the truth is none of them is going to be less than 15 crores, they might get Jason Holder in 7 to 8 crores but the others are going to be very expensive.”
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