IPL 2025 Delhi Capitals (DC) Best Retained Players List

Rishabh Pant’s move to CSK in focus as we look at the best possible retained players list scenarios for Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction.  

17 years and counting. That’s the situation of Delhi Capitals, who will be entering the 18th year in search of their maiden IPL Trophy. Countless Captains have tried Delhi Capitals to knock the punch, but never Delhi were able to cross the line, and it is only one final that they have to show to the world. Nevertheless, Delhi will be looking to start the season afresh in 2025.

But before that, they have a big battle in the form of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. The Delhi Capitals think tank must already be preparing for the retentions that they would like to have for IPL 2025. Of course, the rules for retentions are not out yet, but before they are out, our job is to analyze the current pool of players, and find out the best possible retained players that Delhi Capitals may look to retain for IPL 2025.

As we know from the Latest meetings at the IPL managing committee and 10 franchises, we can expect somewhere between 4 to 6 retentions being allowed per team aside from the uncapped players, where we may once again get 2-3 additional names. So, in this article, we take a look at the best retained players list for Delhi Capitals for IPL 2025.

Rishabh Pant to CSK?

As we look at the best retained players list for Delhi Capitals for IPL 2025, the biggest question that we have in front of us is the retention of Rishabh Pant. There’s a big news circulating that Pant, who started his career with Delhi Capital is contemplating a move to Chennai Super Kings as the successor of MS Dhoni. It would be a surprise if this happens as Pant literally has everything you can ask for at Delhi Capitals. 

Pant has been associated with Delhi Capitals since his debut in 2016. Having been with the franchise for 8 years, you already developed that camaraderie. The team also supported Pant in his tough times, hence, the news about Pant moving to CSK looks undigestable. So, assuming Pant stays with Delhi Capitals, let’s look at the best retained players list for DC for IPL 2025. 

IPL 2025 Delhi Capitals (DC) Retained Players List – Different Scenarios

Scenario One – 4 Players Retained

Starting with the first scenario where we need to select four retained players, we should see DC opting for Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav among the Indian players, and with only three allowed as per current rule, the fourth player has to be an overseas player. The choice of the Overseas player can be an interesting one given the abundance of options in front of us. 

There are literally 4 solid players competing for that spot in the form of Jake Fraser-McGurk, Tristan Stubbs, Mitchell Marsh, and Anrich Nortje. But if we have to select only one among these players, it has got to be Mitchell Marsh. Now, Marsh may not have had the best of the outings in 2024, but he is too good of a player to be overlooked. Also, given Marsh’s dual utility as a bowler too, expect DC to select Marsh above any other Overseas player. 

Scenario Two – 5 Players Retained

Now, moving on to the second scenario, we need one more player as a retained players list. With only three Indian players selected so far, expect Delhi Capitals to select one more Indian player to make a total of five players. Among the Indian players, there are options in the form of Prithvi Shaw, Khaleel Ahmed, and Mukesh Kumar. If Delhi had to select one among these, it should ideally have been Shaw. But given Shaw’s poor run in the IPL, they may opt for a pacer, and that should mostly be Khaleel Ahmed. 

Scenario Three – 6 Players Retained

Moving on to the final scenario of six players, the team already has four Indian players in the form of Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Khaleel Ahmed. So, ideally, they will now have to look for an Overseas player as BCCI won’t allow 5 Indian players among retentions in any case. So, among the Overseas players, Jake Fraser-McGurk seems an ideal bet looking at his potential, and a futuristic outlook. 

Delhi Capitals Retained Players 2025:

1. Rishabh Pant
2. Axar Patel
3. Kuldeep Yadav
4. Mitchell Marsh (f)
5. Khaleel Ahmed
6. Jake Fraser-McGurk (f)

So, that’s about the best retained players list for DC for IPL 2025. Overall, Pant, Kuldeep, and Axar are the best retentions. Among the Overseas players, Mitchell Marsh and Jake Fraser-McGurk seem the best bet. In case BCCI allows two uncapped players in addition to retained players, we can see Delhi opting for Abhishek Porel and Lalit Yadav. 

Thanks for reading! What’s your take on the retained players list scenarios for Delhi Capitals for IPL 2025? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

ALSO READ: IPL 2025 Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Retained Players Best List

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Adesh Kothari

Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.

Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.

Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.