4 probable retentions for Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2022

The IPL 2022 will see a mega auction as two more teams will be added to the mix.

The Times of India reported that the BCCI has finalized the plans for the mega IPL 2022 auction. The event is expected to be a huge one given the addition of two new teams to the mix next year and an increase in the number of players as well.

The BCCI has reportedly put in new rules for the player retentions, increment in salary purses, and fresh media rights tender.

Kolkata-based RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group based out of Kolkata; the Adani group headquartered in Ahmedabad; Aurobindo Pharma Ltd based out of Hyderabad and the Torrent Group that operates from Gujarat are learnt to be showing interest in the two new franchises.

Franchises can retain four players, two new teams to be added ahead of IPL 2022: Report

As per new rules of player retention, each franchise will be allowed to retain four players, but with the following conditions - they can either retain three Indians and one overseas player or two Indians and two overseas players.

The salary deduction, in the existing structure, is stipulated as follows: Rs 15 crs, Rs 11 crs, and Rs 7 crs if three players are retained; Rs 12.5 crs and Rs 8.5 crs if two players are retained; and Rs 12.5 crs if only one player is retained.

Therefore, Team COC takes a look at the players that Delhi Capitals (DC), the finalists of IPL 2020, might look to retain ahead of the IPL 2022 auction.

Two undoubted retentions might be that of Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant. Iyer has led them amazingly well since IPL 2018 onwards and took the team from strength to strength. In IPL 2019, the Delhi Capitals qualified for the playoffs after quite a long time and in IPL 2020, DC broke the jinx and made it into the final of the tournament.

And most of the credit goes to Shreyas Iyer who has formed an amazing core for the DC for the coming time. Therefore it can be said that DC retaining Shreyas Iyer might be a no-brainer of a decision.

Similarly, DC invested in Rishabh Pant in IPL 2016 and it has paid rich dividends for them as the keeper-batsman has brought excitement and energy into the team, along with epic behind the stump banter. Pant’s batting talent and ability with gloves are amazing and have helped the franchise transform brilliantly into a threat to the other big teams.

Shreyas Iyer speaks on playing in IPL 2021; not sure about captaining Delhi Capitals in UAE

And in IPL 2021, Pant has shown his leadership and captaining skills as well, as the DC team sits on top of the points table and when the tournament resumes in UAE, might realize their dream of winning the maiden IPL title.

Now for the next two retentions, DC has the choice of retaining either one more Indian player and a foreign player or two foreign players.

As far as performance goes and preparation for the future may be on the table, then retaining opener Prithvi Shaw should be the way to go. Shaw has been the catalyst for DC at the top, given free rein to play the way he wants without the fear of failure.

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The franchise has backed the batsman despite his failures in the past two seasons and feels that he is the right guy to be investing in.

The last player that DC might retain is South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada. He was a catch for them in IPL 2017 and since then has picked 69 wickets in 42 matches for the DC team and has become their main strike bowler. He is another player who forms the core of the DC team at the moment and is someone the DC team would like to invest in.

Possible retentions for DC before IPL 2022 auction- Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw and Kagiso Rabada