IPL Auction 2020: 3 released players Delhi Capitals could target

One of the better teams of the tournament heading into IPL 2020, Delhi Capitals have impressed the fans with their work during the trade window. Though the Delhi-based franchise let go of New Zealand’s left-arm fast bowler, Trent Boult, they also brought in big names like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane.

Besides Boult, the Capitals also traded the trio of Sherfane Rutherford, Jagadeesha Suchith and Mayank Markande. After the window shut, Delhi declared their list of retained and released players. While the retained list was as expected, there were a few surprises among the released players. The Capitals ended their association with the likes of Chris Morris, Hanuma Vihari and Jalaj Saxena.

The Shreyas Iyer-led outfit does not have an experienced name for the No 6 position in the batting order. They have Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant in the Top 5 who will be backed by the all-rounders Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel. But, there’s nobody who can bat between the top 5 and the two all-rounders. This is an area of concern for Delhi. Also, they need a good overseas fast bowler who can support the Indian players. So, here’s a list of the 3 released players Delhi should target in the IPL 2020 Auction:

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#3 Carlos Brathwaite

Carlos Brathwaite has played for the Delhi franchise earlier

The Barbados-born all-rounder, Carlos Brathwaite, can be the ideal number 6 batsman for Delhi Capitals because he has played at this position for West Indies. The 31-year-old has proven his talent in the T20 format having won several matches for his side with his all-round brilliance.

Brathwaite has played 159 T20s in his career, scoring 1,520 runs at a strike rate of 140.09. He has hit 91 fours and 104 sixes in these games thus emphasising his big-hitting power. The former Kolkata Knight Riders player has scalped 139 T20 wickets at a decent economy rate of 8.13.

Having been a part of the Delhi-based IPL franchise earlier, Carlos could be a valuable addition to the Delhi Capitals squad in IPL 2020.

#2 Sam Curran

Sam Curran has quickly become one of the best T20 all-rounders

The 21-year-old English all-rounder, Sam Curran, had diverted the world’s attention towards himself when he took a hat-trick playing for the Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2019. Curran ended his debut IPL season with some good numbers as he took 10 wickets in 9 matches besides scoring a fifty with the bat.

The Englishman has played 69 T20 matches in his career, scalping 63 wickets at a fantastic strike rate of 21.00. He has taken two four-wicket hauls in his 4-year long T20 career. The Northampton-born all-rounder will be on the wish-list of multiple franchises because there is always a dire need for all-rounders in T20 cricket.

Curran has scored 838 runs in his 55 T20 innings, at an average of 19.04. He has registered four half-tons in his career besides striking 79 fours and 31 sixes.

Since Delhi Capitals would look for Trent Boult’s replacement at the auction, the left-arm fast bowler from England, Sam Curran could be the answer to their problems.

#1 Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn was released by Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of the auction

One of the biggest names released before the IPL auction was South African speedster Dale Steyn. Royal Challengers Bangalore raised quite a few eyebrows by keeping Mohammed Siraj in their squad but doing away with Steyn. While the 36-year-old had gone unsold in the previous auction, the chances that he is sought after this time are very high.

A lot of teams need a quality overseas fast bowler before IPL 2020 and hence, the right-arm fast bowler will prove to be a hot commodity in the auction. Delhi Capitals have stacked their Indian contingent with a flurry of big names but the same cannot be said of their foreign cricketers’ department.

Delhi only have Keemo Paul, Sandeep Lamichhane and Kagiso Rabada in their squad thus, they could look to bring Dale Steyn into the team. He has worked with Rabada in the past and along with Ishant Sharma, the trio can wreak havoc in the thirteenth edition of the cash-rich league.

Steyn had recently bowled a fiery spell for Cape Town Blitz in the Mzansi Super League 2019, thus proving that the former Gujarat Lions star still has a lot of fuel left in his tank.