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#3 Delhi Capitals - Auction Grade: C+
Players bought: Jason Roy(1.5 Cr), Chris Woakes(1.5 Cr), Alex Carey(2.4 Cr), Marcus Stoinis(4.8 Cr), Shimron Hetmyer(7.75 Cr), Mohit Sharma(50 Lac), Tushar Deshpande(20 Lac), Lalit Yadav(20 Lac)
A change in the name did bring a change in fortunes for the Delhi franchise which earned its first playoff spot since 2012 last time around. They started of the pre-draft process well by releasing players like Hanuma Vihari and Colin Ingram who they over-paid for in the last auction.
They bolstered the spin department by trading for offie Ravichandran Ashwin from Kings XI Punjab but they also made a puzzling trade by acquiring Ajinkya Rahane from Rajasthan Royals even when they are filled to the brim at the top-order position.
Their first acquisition of the day was English opener Jason Roy who only added to the crowd that has formed at the opening position and is a back-up option to a back-up.
The Capitals also roped in 2 overseas all-rounders in Englishman Chris Woakes and Aussie Marcus Stoinis. The former is a bowling all-rounder, while the latter is a batting all-rounder.
West Indian batsman Shimron Hetmyer was acquired for a hefty sum of 7.75 Crore, an aggressive batman by nature Hetmyer was a bust in his debut IPL season last year but he did sign off well by smashing a quick-fire half-century against the famed bowling line up of the Sunrisers Hyderabad. If Hetmyer clicks this season opposition bowlers will have a tough task bowling against him and another southpaw in Rishabh Pant.
Aussie wicket-keeper Alex Carey is an able back-up for Risabh Pant and may get some game time if the Capitals decide to go with an extra batsman instead of an all-rounder.
The Capitals pace bowling line-up is still a cause of concern, neither of Ishant Sharma or Mohit Sharma can be called strike bowlers while Chris Woakes will have his work cut out after a disastrous 2018 IPL season which saw him released from the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad. Kagiso Rabada will have to take on some extra workload if his support cast doesn't come to the party.
