NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has advised that Delhi Capitals (DC) focus on retaining wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and all-rounder Axar Patel as their first two retention ahead of the IPL 2025 auction.
Despite rumors about Pant leaving the team, Chopra disclosed that the star player is staying with the Delhi-based franchise. Chopra also highlighted that Axar’s consistent performances are crucial for the team.
On his YouTube channel, Chopra suggested that Pant should be the team’s first retention.”Rishabh Pant needs to be retained, although there were rumors earlier that the guy won’t stay. However, now they are saying that it’s confirmed he is going to stay. So Rishabh Pant as your first retention, keep Rs 18 crore there,” he said.While praising Axar, Chopra said, “Bapu’s performances have been excellent for this team, and have been excellent otherwise as well. He bowls four overs, bats very well, and is a good fielder. If you put him in the auction, you will have to pay a lot for the RTM. So I feel you should retain him.”
For the third retention, Chopra identified a dilemma. He suggested choosing between Australian all-rounder Jake Fraser-McGurk and Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
“Ideally, you go towards an Indian for the third player but if you wish, you can also retain Jake Fraser-McGurk. You need both Jake Fraser-McGurk and Kuldeep Yadav. However, you will be able to retain one and will have to use the RTM for the other,” he commented.
Chopra also recommended retaining Abishek Porel as their uncapped player, to secure him at a lower price. “After that, Abishek Porel. He is still uncapped and will remain uncapped till the auction. You can retain him for Rs four crore. You will have two ‘Right To Match’ cards after retaining three capped players and Abishek Porel,” he explained.