IPL 2018: 5 players Delhi Daredevils should not retain

Delhi Daredevils are perhaps the perennial underachievers in the Indian Premier League. Apart from the initial couple of seasons, Delhi have always been shrugged aside in the competition and despite all the coaching and pedigree in the squad, they have never been able to clinch the critical moments in the league and hence their season never really takes off.

And now as the new season draws closer, the management of the Daredevils have decisions to make with respect to the retentions.

Such has been the volatile approach of the franchise, it becomes almost impossible to read their minds, but what we can do here is to predict the names of players who should be allowed to go back under the hammer.

#5 Carlos Brathwaite

The big burly West Indian was the toast of the town in 2016 when his exploits with the bat won the Windies the World T20 and hence was snapped up by the Daredevils with a lot of expectations.

However, in the two seasons, Brathwaite has not lived up to the billing and has not been able to nail down his position in the side.

Although he is now leading West Indies in T20 Internationals, Delhi might just release him and look for better options.

#4 Angelo Mathews

The experienced Sri Lankan all-rounder gave a great account of himself in the just-concluded ODI series against India, both with the bat and ball.

However, towards the end of the series, he injured himself and this would prompt the Daredevils to release him from their scheme of things.

Mathews has been a constant fixture in the IPL for different teams, but for some enigmatic reason has not been able to translate all the potential into performances and this could well mean that he might be unsold in the upcoming auctions.

#3 Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson has had a terrific Ranji season this year, but despite this Daredevils might release him and then hope to get him back using the Right to Match card.

Samson has been a constant fixture for the Daredevils, but then he has not has been able to play the match-winning innings and stamp his authority on the team.

The man himself had a dour 2016, but he has bounced back remarkably this year and this puts him right back on the grid and hence, Daredevils will be keen to get him back in the auction, but then after he has been released.

#2 Amit Mishra

Leg-spinners have transformed the shortest format and their ability to throw in variations and pick up wickets at any phase of the match make them a must-pick for any side.

However, having said that, Delhi Daredevils might well release Amit Mishra, since he has not been in the best of forms recently. They might then get him back at the auctions and this could mean a significant drop in his price.

While there is no denying his worth as a leg-spinner, Mishra is not the fleetest in the field and his batting has gone off the boil. Also, he tends to go for runs at crucial times and this might work against him when the franchise decide on the players to let go off.

#1 Jean-Paul Duminy

JP Duminy has had a mixed bag 2017. He announced his retirement from Test cricket but remained a vital cog in their limited-overs ambitions.

However, he did not take part in the previous edition of the IPL due to personal and injury concerns and this could work against him in the upcoming auctions.

If his fitness is not a concern, Duminy might draw interest from other franchises owing to his worth, both as a player and as a leader of men. Hence, despite releasing him, Delhi will keep a keen eye on him during the auctions and could be brought back to the Kotla using the right to match card.