IPL 2018 closeout: Will Delhi Daredevils eye Gautam Gambhir?

Indian Premier League’s (IPL) most erratic and ever- varying Delhi Daredevils (DD) will yet again be in action for the all important player auction. This time the IPL 2018 auction is bigger than ever with as many as 1,122 players up for grabs. Purchasing players have never been a problem for DD; they have shelled INR 8.5 crore for Pawan Negi and INR 16 crore for Yuvraj Singh in the past.

Sadly for Delhi, what they lack is in team work and approach on the field. Ahead of the player auctions, Delhi decided to retain the trinity of Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer and Chris Morris. Pant and Iyer have both been stars thus for Delhi, in the 2017 edition, they accumulated 338 and 366 runs respectively. Morris, on the other hand, turned into a valuable asset to Delhi in due time, thanks to his explosive batting and hard-hitting bowling.

Daredevils have a total of two RTM (right to match) cards remaining for the auctions. They have a total of purse of INR 47 crore to spend from. Out of the INR 80 crore allotted, INR 33 crore (though Pant, Morris and Iyer will be earning fees of 8 crore, 7.1 crore and 7 crore respectively) has already been deducted of the purse by retaining three players.

Daredevils have roped in former Australian captain Ricky Ponting as head coach. His credentials with Mumbai Indians (MI) in the same capacity saw the side attain great heights. Let us have a look into who Delhi and team management could pick in the auctions.

Delhi have already indicated that they want to invest in youngsters going ahead. With that in mind, a lot of India A, Under-19 and uncapped players could be under Ponting’s keen eye.

Bring back Gambhir?

Talking about international stars, DD could look to bring in Gautam Gambhir, who has time and again mentioned that he would love to finish his IPL career with original home, Delhi.  Gambhir’s tactical brilliance and his ability to groom youngsters’ could well synch with DD’s ethos.

Kolkata Knight Riders has enjoyed immense success in the last seven seasons under Gambhir, including two IPL triumphs. Delhi’s fortunes can change here.

RTMs

One could expect Delhi to use one of their RTM for Kagiso Rabada. Rabada was a revelation in the last IPL and has since then grown in stature.

Delhi’s catchment area has a lot of upcoming player that could do well being around the side. The likes of Navdeep Saini, Dhruv Shorey and Kulwant Khejroliya could be in their scheme of things.

Ponting’s emphasis on Australian-grown talent could mean Indian fans witness D’Arcy Short. Short is having a time of his life in BBL and might be picked up by DD. Another healthy addition to Delhi’s arsenal could be Mitchell Johnson.

Another player that could be the glue to Delhi’s plans is Carlos Brathwaite. Despite having a hot and cold IPL 2017, Delhi might use RTM for West Indies’ all-rounder.

With a clear emphasis on youth, Delhi Daredevils might be Rajasthan Royals in disguise heading into the IPL 2018.