Veteran commentator Aakash Chopra said that Axar Patel should be the Delhi Capitals’ (DC) second retention before the IPL 2025 auction. He also added that the spin-bowling all-rounder has excelled for the franchise and might be expensive if they try to reacquire him through the ‘Right To Match’ card as well.
However, they failed to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs, finishing sixth after the league phase. Axar Patel was one of their better performers,
scoring 235 runs at a strike rate of 131.28 in 12 innings and claiming 11 wickets at an economy rate of 7.65 in 44 overs as well.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said, “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 18 crores there,” he said. “I would say Axar Patel at No. 2 because 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.”
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“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 again shared.
In the same video, Aakash Chopra also urged the Delhi Capitals to retain Abhishek Porel as an uncapped player.
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“After that, Abishek Porel. He is still uncapped and will remain uncapped till the auction. You can retain him for four crores. You will have two ‘Right To Match’ cards after retaining three capped players and Abishek Porel. You can use one for Jake Fraser-McGurk/Kuldeep Yadav, whoever you don’t retain. You can use the second one for Khaleel Ahmed. You should somehow try to acquire Khaleel Ahmed because his stature has grown. He is bowling very well and swinging the ball both ways,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
