IPL 2019: 5 players who could be released by Delhi Daredevils 

The 12th season of the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) is likely to be held in South Africa due to the general elections in India. The preparations for the next season of Indian Premier League (IPL) are in full swing. The auction for the 12th season of IPL is to be held in Goa on December 16.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked the IPL franchises to submit the list of released players before 15th November. With the deadline is near, the franchises are looking to release the players ahead of the auction in mid-December. The teams like Mumbai Indians have already shown the interest in releasing the players.

Delhi Daredevils is one of the underperforming teams in the Indian Premier League. They have not been able to remain consistent and never reached finals in the history of IPL. The team management has changed the coaches, captains, and players as well, but none could help them to crack the code to touch the IPL trophy.

The Delhi-based IPL franchise could release some players who were underperformed last season. Here we take a look at the five players who Delhi Daredevils could release ahead of the auction for the IPL 2019.

---

#5 Naman Ojha

Naman Ojha

Naman Ojha is one of the consistent performers for his state team in the domestic circuit. A clean striker of the ball, he made his International debut for India in 2010. His consistent performances in the domestic cricket earned him a contract in the Indian Premier Leauge.

He represented Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad before moving to Delhi Daredevils in 2018. Ahead of the 11th season of the IPL, he was bought by Delhi Daredevils for Rs. 1.40 crore. However, the 35-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman could play just one game and score 1 run.

With the emergence of young cricketers, the 35-year-old, Naman Ojha might lose his IPL contract. Replacing him, the team management could rope in wicketkeeper-batsmen like Jonny Bairstow or Mushfiqur Rahim who are more consistent.

#4 Colin Munro

Colin Munro played for Delhi Daredevils in 2018

The left-handed destructive opener from New Zealand, Colin Munro has been an important member of his national team in the shortest format of the game. He became the first cricketer to score three hundred in the T20 Internationals and also scored second fastest fifty in T20Is.

During the 2018 Indian Premier League auction, Delhi Daredevils bought the left-hander for Rs. 1.9 crore after having a fight with the other IPL franchises. However, the New Zealander has failed to live up to the expectations as he could score just 63 runs in five matches that he played in IPL 2018.

His poor form affected Delhi Daredevils' chances in the 11th edition of IPL. The team management could release him ahead of the next Indian Premier League auction and look to buy Martin Guptill or Johnny Bairstow who can give the flying starts.

#3 Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell is arguably one of the dangerous cricketers in the shortest version of the game. He has the ability to win the matches single-handedly for his team. He was in great touch when he plundered 552 runs in 16 games for Kings XI Punjab in 2014. However, he failed to replicate the same performances in the following seasons.

The Australian all-rounder was bought by Delhi Daredevils for a whopping price of Rs. 9 crores. But, he has failed to perform to justify his price tag. The 30-year-old Australian all-rounder featured in 12 games and could only manage 169 runs at a forgettable average of 14.

Over the years, the Delhi-based Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise has been struggling to find a reliable all-rounder who can hit the big shots with the bat and pick up the crucial wickets with the ball. Delhi Daredevils could let Maxwell go and look to buy a reliable all-rounder in the auction.

#2 Amit Mishra

Amit Mishra

The leg-break bowler from Haryana, Amit Mishra has been a part of Delhi Daredevils over the past few years. He also represented Deccan Chargers and Sunrisers Hyderabad before moving to Delhi Daredevils where he started his IPL stint. He is the second highest wicket-taker in the history of Indian Premier League as he has 146 IPL wickets to his name.

During the last edition of IPL season, Amit Mishra has played 10 games and could only manage 12 wickets at an average of 22 with an economy of 7.13. He is not the same he used to be as he struggled a bit to take the wickets last season. With the age is not on his side, he might announce his retirement from cricket any time.

Delhi Daredevils have the likes of Gurkeerat Mann Singh, Sandeep Lamichhane, Shahbaz Nadeem, Rahul Tewati and Jayant Yadav in the squad. So, releasing the 35-year-old leg-spinner from the squad will not affect the team combination in the next season of Indian Premier League (IPL).

#1 Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir

Once an irremovable part of the Indian Cricket Team, Gautam Gambhir has not appeared for India in international cricket since 2016. The left-handed cricketer has failed miserably in the last edition of Indian Premier League. Gambhir had a poor season as he managed to score just 85 runs in five games that he played in 2018.

His former IPL team, Kolkata Knight Riders has clinched two titles under Gambhir's captaincy. The Delhi-born batsman has decided to move to Delhi Daredevils where he started his IPL career. He was appointed as captain of Delhi Daredevils in 2018.

However, the skipper dropped himself from the team after losing first five games. With the likes of Jason Roy, Colin Munro, Shreyas Iyer, Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant at the top-order, the team management could release him and might buy Shimron Hetmyer who has been in tremendous form for his country.