As per reports, Delhi Capitals are set to release five players before the IPL 2023 mini auction ahead of the player retention deadline on November 15. India all-rounder Shardul Thakur is the most notable name in the list of players concerned, which also includes wicketkeeper KS Bharat, batter Mandeep Singh, Andhra opener Ashwin Hebbar and New Zealand’s Tim Seifert.
Thakur, who was an integral part of Chennai Super Kings’ winning campaigns in 2018 and 2021, was one of the most sought-after players at the mega-auctions in the build-up to the 2022 edition and was roped in for a whopping INR 10.75 crore by the Capitals. However, he wasn’t as impactful on either fronts bagging 15 wickets at an economy of 9.79, while scoring 120 runs from 10 innings at 15.
The 31-year-old was expected to be transferred ahead of the auction, but the deals could not be finalised for him in time. He is currently one of India’s standby players at the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022, wherein the team will face England in the second semi-final at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday, November 10.
“Shardul is a premium all-rounder but his price tag was an issue. The others who are set to be released are Hebbar, Mandeep, Seifert and Bharat,”
an IPL source was quoted by TOI.
Hebbar didn’t get a game in DC’s 2022 campaign, wherein they finished fifth with seven wins and as many defeats in the round-robin league stage.
Mandeep, Bharat and Seifert didn’t quite make an impact in the limited opportunities presented. DC would eye a like-for-like keeper replacement for either of the latter two, as a potential back-up for skipper Rishabh Pant.
