Enter Hemang Badani and Venugopal Rao—DC's fresh brains trust. Badani, the new head coach, replaced Ricky Ponting after a seven-season stint. Joining him is Venugopal Rao as the director of cricket, and former pacer Munaf Patel has been roped in as part of the operations team. Together, they form a revamped think tank tasked with lifting DC out of their playoff drought and, perhaps, toward their elusive maiden IPL title. DC's IPL 2024 campaign was a rollercoaster of inconsistency, plagued by injuries and underwhelming performances. Despite flashes of brilliance from key players, the team couldn't string together the winning streaks needed, narrowly missing a playoff spot. With Rs 73 crore burning a hole in their auction purse—the third-largest among franchises—the Capitals are poised to go big. DC'S RETENTION FOR IPL 2025 Players retained: Axar Patel (Rs 16.50 Crore), Kuldeep Yadav (Rs 13.25 crore), Tristan Stubbs (Rs 10 crore), Abishek Porel (Rs 4 crore). Delhi Capitals have solidified their core by retaining key players, including spin-bowling allrounder Axar Patel, wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, South African batter Tristan Stubbs, and uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel. With a sizeable auction purse of Rs 73 crore—the third-largest among all franchises—DC aims to revamp their squad and break their three-season streak of missing the IPL playoffs. Players Released by DC Anrich Nortje, David Warner* (retired), Ishant Sharma, Lalit Yadav, Mitchell Marsh*, Mukesh Kumar, Pravin Dubey, Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh Pant, Syed Khaleel Ahmed, Vicky Ostwal, Yash Dhull, Harry Brook*, Ricky Bhui, Kumar Kushagra, Rasikh Dar, Jhye Richardson*, Sumit Kumar, Shai Hope*, Swastik Chhikara, Jake Fraser-McGurk* DC POSSIBLE COMBINATION Here's how a potential playing XI might look for DC. Overseas opener/ wicketkeeper Abishek Porel Indian No. 3 Indian No.4 Tristan Stubbs Axar Patel Overseas finisher/all-rounder Kuldeep Yadav Indian pacer Indian pacer Overseas pacer NEED AN INDIAN CAPTAIN With the surprising release of Rishabh Pant, Delhi Capitals find themselves in need of a strong Indian captain to lead their squad into IPL 2025. Pant's nine-season tenure with DC, during which he grew into a homegrown star, came to an unexpected end, leaving the franchise with a leadership vacuum. Shreyas Iyer emerges as a compelling choice for the role. Having led Kolkata Knight Riders to IPL glory in 2024 and boasting a stellar record with Delhi Daredevils earlier in his career, Iyer offers both leadership acumen and proven batting consistency. A former DC stalwart, Iyer played a crucial role in the team's development, making over 400 runs in multiple seasons and earning the IPL Emerging Player award in 2015. His departure to KKR in 2022 saw him elevate his captaincy credentials, culminating in a title-winning campaign in 2024. and his drive to reclaim a spot in the Indian team, Iyer could be the perfect candidate to fill Pant's shoes and bring stability to the Capitals' lineup. As the IPL 2025 mega auction looms, DC might prioritise bringing Iyer back, reuniting with a player who understands the franchise's culture and has the experience to steer them toward success. In case Delhi Capitals fail to acquire Shreyas Iyer, they have a proven performer in Axar Patel, who has done extremely well for them in the past 3 seasons. If DC make Axar captain ahead of the auction process, they might free up more budget for other impactful Indian batters in the middle order position. STRONG BATTING CORE Delhi Capitals (DC) are in dire need of a formidable batting core to bolster their lineup. Having released key players like Rishabh Pant, the Delhi-based franchise is now focused on acquiring dependable and dynamic batters to anchor their innings and provide the firepower needed to reclaim their competitive edge. Phil Salt stands out as one of the most explosive batters available in the auction. Fresh off a stellar season with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where he amassed 435 runs in just 12 matches at a strike rate of 182.01, Salt has proven his ability to dominate the powerplay. His consistent starts played a pivotal role in KKR's title-winning campaign, cementing his status as a high-impact player. With a career IPL strike rate of 175.5, Salt is an ideal candidate to provide DC with rapid starts, filling the void left by other aggressive top-order batters. Venkatesh Iyer has established himself as a reliable middle-order batter over the years. Released by KKR, Iyer's ability to stabilise innings and accelerate when needed makes him a prized asset. Known for his adaptability and composure under pressure, Iyer's presence would bring stability to DC's middle order, a crucial area they need to address. in the demanding lower-order role. Released by Punjab Kings (PBKS), he has demonstrated the ability to take on high-quality pacers and finish innings with a flourish. Sharma's skill set not only provides balance but also ensures DC can maintain momentum in the latter stages of their innings. As an Indian talent, he offers flexibility without occupying an overseas slot, making him an attractive long-term investment. Nehal Wadhera, a breakout star for Mumbai Indians in the 2023 season, is another strong contender for DC's lineup. The southpaw's elegant stroke play, reminiscent of the legendary Yuvraj Singh, and his versatility in tackling both pace and spin make him a standout option. With a proven track record in the middle order and untapped potential, Wadhera could evolve into a match-winner for DC in the years to come. OVERSEAS ALL-ROUNDER/FINISHER Delhi Capitals (DC) are keen to fill the void left by their lack of a reliable overseas all-rounder in IPL 2024. After Mitchell Marsh's injury and Gulbadin Naib's limited impact, Axar Patel was left as the team's sole all-rounder, exposing a critical imbalance. For IPL 2025, DC can target Azmatullah Omarzai and Jacob Bethell in the auction to strengthen their lineup. Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai offers a perfect blend of power-hitting and versatile bowling. His ability to anchor the middle order alongside Tristan Stubbs and Axar Patel adds depth to the batting. With a knack for variations and delivering under pressure, Omarzai can fill the all-rounder role DC sorely missed, particularly in critical overs. England's Jacob Bethell brings raw potential and dynamic energy. Known for his explosive batting, electric fielding, and occasional left-arm spin, Bethell is a versatile option. His performances in domestic T20 leagues and international youth tournaments highlight his potential as a game-changer. Together, Omarzai's experience and Bethell's flair could provide DC with the all-round strength needed for a strong IPL 2025 campaign. FRESH PACE SET-UP ON THE CARDS Delhi Capitals chose to not retain any pacer, instead opting for rebuilding the pace arsenal with a mix of experience and emerging talent to win the title in IPL 2025. With seasoned campaigners like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kagiso Rabada in the auction pool, along with rising stars like Spencer Johnson and Rasikh Salam, DC has the opportunity to assemble a balanced and dynamic pace unit. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, one of the finest swing bowlers in IPL history, brings a wealth of experience and proven skill in high-pressure situations. Known for his pinpoint yorkers and deceptive knuckleballs, Bhuvneshwar has been a consistent performer for over a decade. Despite a dip in form last season with 11 wickets in 16 matches, his ability to deliver under pressure makes him a valuable addition to any side. Similarly, Kagiso Rabada, a former DC star, could reunite with the franchise. With 30 wickets in 2020, earning the Purple Cap, Rabada's proven track record with DC and his success at the Arun Jaitley Stadium make him an ideal candidate to lead the pace attack. Spencer Johnson, the Australian left-arm pacer, has impressed with his ability to swing the ball and deliver crucial breakthroughs, including a remarkable five-wicket haul against Pakistan. His death-bowling skills could address DC's struggles in that department. Rasikh Salam, who had a solid IPL 2024 with nine wickets, offers versatility and youth, making him a valuable long-term prospect. Additionally, Mukesh Kumar, who claimed 17 wickets in IPL 2024, has shown immense growth and could be pivotal in DC's domestic bowling core. DC can use the two RTM cards on Mukesh and Rasikh. DC IPL AUCTION: PREDICTED TOP 5 TARGETS Shreyas Iyer Phil Salt Venkatesh Iyer Kagiso Rabada Jacob Bethell DC: PREDICTED FIRST XI AFTER IPL MEGA AUCTION Phil Salt/Josh Inglis Venkatesh Iyer Shreyas Iyer Nehal Wadhera Tristan Stubbs/ Glenn Phillips Axar Patel Jacob Bethell/Omarzai Bhuvneshwar Kumar Kuldeep Yadav Kagiso Rabada/ Spencer Johnson Rasikh Dar/ Mukesh Kumar (RTM)