Three players that Delhi Capitals (DC) may release ahead of IPL 2023

DC finished 5th in IPL 2022.

Delhi Capitals (DC) missed out on a playoff berth due to their own fault in the IPL 2022 as they lost to Mumbai Indians (MI) in their final league match, which they had to only win. The Rishabh Pant-led side couldn’t take advantage of the momentum they had in the tournament.

DC have been doing good in IPL since they were rebranded from Delhi Daredevils in 2019 and finished 4th in 2019, 2nd in 2020, and 4th again in 2021 and when they looked like going into the playoffs in 2022, they only managed a fifth spot.

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Inconsistent batting display apart from David Warner, no proper finisher in sight and big buys in the auction not coming to the party proved to be the low points for DC. They also lost fair play points thanks to Rishabh Pant asking his batters to come back after a disagreement with the umpire’s decision during a match against Rajasthan Royals.

Overall, it was an outing for DC, in which they might have felt that they underachieved a lot. Also, there might be some players who might not continue with the franchise in IPL 2023.

Team COC presents three players who DC might release ahead of IPL 2023.

LUNGI NGIDI

South African pacer Lungi Ngidi was bought by the DC franchise for INR 50 lakhs, his base price during the IPL 2022 mega auction. He was supposed to be the replacement for Kagiso Rabada, who was let go by the franchise before the auction.

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However, Ngidi had come into the IPL 2022 with indifferent form and ended up warming the bench for the entire tournament. With many of the bowlers doing well for DC like Mustafizur Rahman and others, Ngidi might be surplus for DC and he might go back into the IPL 2023 auction.

TIM SEIFERT

Tim Seifert of New Zealand was picked up by DC as a backup wicketkeeper and played two matches, scoring 24 runs. However, he place was never cemented in the playing XI and once David Warner became available for DC, Seifert went back to warming the bench.

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With other teams requiring wicketkeeper-openers, Seifert might find a franchise, where he may be of better use and get frequent games as well, given his talent and abilities.

SHARDUL THAKUR

Shardul Thakur was bought by DC for INR 10.75 crores in the auction and played all 14 matches. He made 120 runs and picked 15 wickets, six of which came in the last two league games, including his best bowling of 4/36.

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Unfortunately, for scalping those 15 wickets, Shardul spent runs at an economy of 9.78, and batting wise he couldn’t do much even when he got opportunities. DC might release Shardul Thakur in the IPL 2023 auction and possibly buy him back for less money.