With some of the highest bids in the history of the tournament and teams jostling to buy the best talents in the cricketing world, IPL 2025 Mega Auction was a whirlwind event. Among the standout performers was Delhi Capitals, who have caught the attention of fans for making some smart investments and their auction strategy. Here’s a closer look at their hits, misses, and overall squad strength after the auction.
HITS
Faf du Plessis (2 crore)
Two time orange cap winner, seasoned campaigner and the former captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, was picked up by DC in what can only be described as a steal. Having been a veteran of the sport in international cricket and leading RCB, Faf brings stability coupled with aggression at the top of the order as well as leadership skills. He has consistently delivered top-order runs and has anchored the innings, which makes him a pivotal addition to the batting lineup.
Mukesh Kumar (8 crore)
The Delhi Capitals were quite focused on bolstering their bowling attack in the auction and Mukesh Kumar’s acquisition for 8 crore only highlights the fact. Mukesh adds incredible depth and variety to the pace attack with Mitchell Starc in the lead. He has a solid domestic track record and DC will be hoping for him to bring his A-game on.
KL Rahul (14 crore)
Considering the fact that many franchises broke their bank to secure a captain, DC picked up KL Rahul as their possible leader for a bargain. Not only does he add brand and star power to the team, but he he will be a strong contender alongside du Plessis to lead the team. His calm demeanor, tactical strength and performances at the top order make him the perfect bid for the Delhi based franchise.
MISSES
Heading into the auction all eyes were on Rishabh Pant’s bid following his departure from Delhi Capitals. Although owner Parth Jindal had said that they would do everything in their power to buy back their former captain, they were unsuccessful in their efforts.
The Capitals initially used their RTM after the bid went up to 20.75 crore but were unable to match LSG’s eye-watering 27 crore bid for the charismatic player. DC had to humbly bow out of the bid considering they had to prioritise building a balanced squad instead of squandering their money on a single player. Losing Pant must have surely been a tough pill to swallow for the DC staff at the auction tables as well as fans watching from home.
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
Even though the management at Delhi Capitals might be heartbroken over losing a significant fan following and brand value in Pant, they will rejoice at constructing a well-rounded squad heading into IPL 2025.
The bowling department will be led by the fiery Starc, with the likes of T Natarajan, Mohit Sharma and Mukesh Kumar in support. The dangerous spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel will ensure DC has a strong arsenal for any surface. Axar’s inclusion also ensures batting depth and the possibility of a game changing innings.
When it comes to DC’s batting lineup, the inclusion of du Plessis, KL Rahul and Jake Fraser-McGurk ensures a solid yet aggressive top-order. The trio add experience and explosiveness, with Rahul as a potential captain. With a solidified core, DC will look to make a strong push for the title this season.