The Delhi Capitals (DC) have announced a major rebuild ahead of the 2024 IPL season, only retaining four players for the upcoming mega auction. Inconsistent performances, injuries, and unavailability were cited as factors that plagued DC last season, prompting the franchise to go all out and make significant changes. With a new coach and director of cricket in place, DC is signalling a fresh start as they look to bounce back from a disappointing season. Axar Patel, the most expensive of the retained players at INR 16.5 Crore, will also be considered as a potential option for captaincy.
Delhi Capitals Announce Major Rebuild Ahead of 2024 IPL Season
Introduction: The Delhi Capitals (DC) franchise has announced a significant overhaul ahead of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Following a disappointing campaign last year, DC has decided to retain only four players for the upcoming mega auction, signalling a major rebuild for the team.
Background: The Delhi Capitals have faced several challenges in recent seasons, including inconsistent performances, injuries, and unavailability of key players. In IPL 2023, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs, finishing in seventh place with just seven wins from 14 matches.
Retained Players: With the release of most of their squad, DC has retained four players for the upcoming auction:
New Leadership: DC has also made changes to its coaching and management staff. Former South Africa pacer Shane Watson has been appointed as the head coach, while former India cricketer Mithun Manhas has taken over as the director of cricket. This signals a fresh start for the franchise as it aims to bounce back from its struggles.
Captaincy Contenders: Axar Patel is considered a potential captaincy option for DC due to his experience and performances in the team. However, other players such as Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant may also be considered for the role.
FAQs:
1. Why did DC release most of their players? DC's poor performances, injuries, and unavailability issues prompted the franchise to make significant changes.
2. Who are the most expensive retained players for DC? Axar Patel and Prithvi Shaw are the most expensive retained players at INR 16.5 Crore and INR 20 Crore, respectively.
3. Who is the new coach of DC? Former South Africa pacer Shane Watson has been appointed as the head coach of the Delhi Capitals.
4. Is Rishabh Pant still a part of DC? Yes, Rishabh Pant has been retained by DC for INR 16 Crore and is considered a potential captaincy option.
5. What are DC's goals for the 2024 IPL season? DC aims to bounce back from a disappointing season and qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2024. The team is hoping to make a strong impact with its new coach and a fresh squad.
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