Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has raised concerns over Delhi Capitals’ (DC) trade decisions ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027 season. The franchise has traded Kuldeep Yadav to bring Rishabh Pant back into its setup and subsequently sent left-arm pacer T Natarajan to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in exchange for spinner Zeeshan Ansari.
Delhi Capitals are preparing for a major revamp after failing to qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2026. The franchise has also made significant changes to its coaching staff, parting ways with head coach Hemang Badani, assistant coach Ian Bell and bowling coach Munaf Patel. Sourav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh have since been announced as new members of the coaching setup ahead of the upcoming mini-auction.
However, Aakash Chopra believes DC have not strengthened their squad sufficiently through their recent trades. He particularly questioned the decision to part ways with Kuldeep Yadav, arguing that quality wrist-spinners of his calibre are difficult to find in Indian cricket.
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“Earlier, they let go of Kuldeep Yadav and got Rishabh Pant in return. Now they have let go of T Natarajan and have got Zeeshan Ansari in return, and I ask this question Delhi, ‘Are you better off?’ Because the Kuldeep Yadav deal, how many spinners like him are there in the country? It is almost impossible to replace Kuldeep Yadav. Rishabh Pant, did you need him? He is a good player, but do you need him? Do you have a place in the middle order? Can you put him in the top order? So, LSG were beneficiaries in that deal,” Aakash Chopra said on his X account.
The former cricketer also questioned whether Zeeshan Ansari could adequately fill the gap left by Kuldeep, considering Delhi already has spin options such as Axar Patel and Vipraj Nigam. He acknowledged that releasing Natarajan might have been necessary but remained unconvinced that the overall changes had improved the squad.
“You may also have to release Auqib Nabi and Mukesh Kumar as well. But after all this, are you better off? That is the question you must need to ask. I must say, I am not convinced yet. As far as the trades are concerned, LSG would be the happier from the Kuldeep-Pant trade, and now SRH will be happier. So Delhi, what exactly are you guys doing?”
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Meanwhile, the IPL 2027 mini-auction is scheduled to take place in Goa in December 2026, marking the event’s return to India after four years. Natarajan was among Delhi’s major acquisitions ahead of IPL 2025 but played only two matches in his first season. His IPL 2026 campaign was also disappointing, as he managed just five wickets in 10 matches at an average of 71.20.
Ansari made his IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2025, claiming six wickets in 10 appearances. However, he did not play a match in IPL 2026, with SRH opting for fellow wrist-spinner Shivang Kumar instead. With the mini-auction approaching, Delhi Capitals will need to ensure their latest trades translate into a more balanced and competitive squad.
