The Delhi Capitals finally came into their own in IPL 2019 and 2020. The Shreyas Iyer-led side qualified for the playoffs for two years successively. But for long the Delhi franchise has failed to consistently turn up at the IPL. They have even lost a host of great players. StumpsandBails brings to you a list of 5 players whom the franchise should have retained ideally. They went on to become IPL superstars post leaving DC.
#5 Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins became the highest-paid player in IPL auctions 2020 when he was purchased by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 15.5 crores. He is one of the best players in the world currently. But not many are aware of the fact that Cummins was with Delhi Capitals in 2017. DC released Cummins ahead of 2018 without realising Cummins’s complete potential.
#4 Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir was one of Delhi’s star players from 2008-10. He even captained the Delhi side with reasonable success. But in a surprising move, Delhi let go of him in 2011 auctions. This stung Gambhir real hard. He wanted to prove a point to Delhi. The Kolkata Knight Riders bought him for INR 11 crores in 2011 auctions. Gambhir led KKR to 2 IPL titles (2012 and 2014). The move to release Gambhir backfired on Delhi.
#3 Andre Russell
Andre Russell is only one among 3 players to have won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) twice (2015 and 2019) in the IPL. Russell started his IPL career with the Delhi franchise. He played an integral part in DC qualifying for the IPL 2012 playoffs. But Russell too was let go by DC in 2014. He is now one of the most dangerous players in the IPL.
#2 David Warner
David Warner is arguably the best overseas batsmen in the IPL. He has been a special player for Sunrisers Hyderabad right since they bought him in IPL 2014 auction. Warner has won 3 orange caps (2015, 2017, and 2019) with SRH. But Warner was a force to reckon with even while he represented Delhi Daredevils. Sehwag had predicted Warner will go on to become a modern-day legend when they both turned up for DC. But sadly DC didn’t retain Warner in 2014 and the rest as they say is history.
#1 AB de Villiers
Abraham Benjamin de Villiers is an IPL G.O.A.T (Greatest of All-time). Mr.360 degree batsman had shown glimpses of his greatness when he represented Delhi from 2008-10. He even scored a fabulous century in 2009 against the Chennai Super Kings. But DC let him go in 2011 IPL auctions and the Royal Challengers Bangalore bought him. AB de Villiers is one of the very few players who average more than 40 and strikes at 150+. It was surely a great miss from Delhi.
