3 Players Delhi Capitals Are Likely To Release Ahead Of IPL 2024 Auction

image-lpebaqhtDelhi Capitals had a dismal IPL 2023 campaign (x.com)

With the IPL 2024 auction fast approaching, teams are strategizing for the next season. Among them, the Delhi Capitals (DC), known for its dynamic and aggressive cricket, find themselves at a crucial juncture.

The 2023 season was a stark departure from their usual form, culminating in a forgettable ninth-place finish on the points table. This outcome was a significant drop from their runner-up status in 2020, marking the team's worst performance in the last four years. Under the captaincy of David Warner, the team struggled to find its rhythm, winning only five of their fourteen matches. 

This downward trajectory has prompted introspection within the DC think tank. The need for squad overhaul is apparent, and tough decisions loom on the horizon. The focus will be not just on tactical and strategic recalibrations but also on player performance. Several players who were backed throughout the season failed to deliver, raising questions about their future with the team. As the management looks to inject fresh energy and talent into the squad, there are talks of releasing some of the current players.

In this context, three players, in particular, stand out as potential candidates for release ahead of the IPL 2024. Each of these players came into the 2023 season with high expectations but could not live up to their billing. Their underperformance is seen as a key factor in the team's overall dismal showing. As the Capitals aim to rebuild and return stronger in the next edition of the IPL, the futures of these players hang in the balance.

Here's a look at three players the Delhi Capitals could release ahead of the IPL 2024 auction.

3. Phillip Salt

image-lpebcyxbPhillip Salt (Twitter)

Expectations were high for Phillip Salt, who is known for his aggressive starts and explosive batting. However, the IPL 2023 edition witnessed a stark contrast to expectations. Despite playing nine matches, Salt's contribution to the Delhi Capitals was underwhelming, with a total of 218 runs at an average of just 27.25. Although his strike rate hovered at an impressive 163.91, it was his inconsistency that raised eyebrows.

With the top order already crowded and the likes of Rilee Rossouw and Mitchell Marsh taking up foreign player spots, Salt's position in the team looks uncertain. His lack of consistent performance may lead to the Capitals considering his release as they look for more reliable options at the top of the order.


2. Rovman Powell

image-lpebck1uRovman Powell (Twitter)

Rovman Powell, who once shone as a promising finisher, experienced a steep decline in form during the 2023 season. After a stellar 2022 season and a subsequent ascension to the captaincy of the West Indies T20I side, expectations were sky-high. However, Powell's performance plummeted, managing a meager seven runs across three innings, striking at an underwhelming rate of 77.77. 

After this debacle, captain David Warner seemed to lose faith in Powell, opting instead for Rilee Rossouw in the subsequent games. Powell's struggles weren't confined to the IPL; his lacklustre performance continued in the CPL 2023, casting further doubts over his retention by the Capitals for the next season.

1. Anrich Nortje

image-lpebbkg2Anrich Nortje (Twitter)

Anrich Nortje, retained by the Capitals in 2022 for a hefty sum, has been a tale of unfulfilled potential, primarily due to recurring injuries. Capable of delivering thunderbolts at speeds exceeding 150 kph, Nortje's injury woes have kept him from consistently contributing to the team. In IPL 2023, his ten-match stint yielded only 10 wickets at a disappointing average of 36.40 and an economy rate of 9.10. 

His journey was further marred by a premature exit for personal reasons and a suspected stress fracture that kept him out of significant international fixtures, including the World Cup 2023. Nortje's persistent injury issues and lack of match fitness might compel the Capitals to reconsider his place in the team as they look to rebuild a more robust and reliable squad for the upcoming season.