One-time IPL runners-up Delhi Capitals (DC) have announced the retention of the IPL 2025.

Delhi Capitals, formerly known as Delhi Daredevils, reached the semi-finals of the first two editions of the IPL (2008 and 2009). After playing in the playoffs in the IPL 2012, they missed the top four finishes for the straight six years. 

After reaching the playoffs for three successive IPL seasons since 2019, Delhi Capitals failed to finish in the top four in the last three seasons. They played their only IPL final in the 2020 editions, which Mumbai Indians won and Capitals finished as the runners-up.  

Since the IPL 2021, Rishabh Pant has been leading the Delhi Capitals. In his absence, David Warner led the team during the IPL 2023. Last season, Axar Patel played the stand-in captain role in the absence of Pant. 

Delhi Capitals' player retention

Delhi Capitals have retained four players for INR 43.75 crore, including three capped and one uncapped. As their official deduction is INR 47 crore (18cr+14cr+11cr+4cr), they can use the remaining 73 crores during the mega auction. 

(Capped)

Axar Patel (Indian): INR 16.50 Crore

Kuldeep Yadav (Indian): INR 13.25 Crore

Tristian Stubbs (South African): INR 10 Crore

(Uncapped)

Abhishek Porel (Indian): INR 4 Crore

Right-to-Match (RTM) card availability for the mega auction

2 capped players, or 1 capped + 1 uncapped player

Indian Premier League (IPL) team DC has decided to part ways with former Australia captain Ricky Ponting as their head coach, ending his seven-year stint with the franchise. The news, shared via DC’s official social media channels, has sparked considerable interest among Indian cricket enthusiasts.

It’s reported that former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who previously served as an advisor under Ponting, is a leading candidate to step into the coaching role for the upcoming season.

Ricky Ponting’s legacy and challenges

During his tenure, Ponting led the team through several T20 star studded lineups but couldn’t secure DC’s first IPL title. Even with captain Rishabh Pant’s return from injury in the recently concluded IPL 2024, DC finished sixth in the points table, missing out on a playoff spot.

“Dear Ricky, As you move on as our Head Coach, we’re finding it incredibly hard to put this down in words. The commitment, attitude and effort – they sum up our seven summers together,” DC’s statement said in X.

“Thank you for everything, Coach! Like you often close out. ‘Lets leave this here mate, grab a beer, get back to work tomorrow, yeah?” -statement added.

Prior to Ponting’s dismissal, Ganguly had hinted to the Bengali daily ‘Aajkaal’ that changes were being contemplated within the franchise. He confirmed his interest in taking over as head coach and has already begun discussions with team owners regarding potential player acquisitions for IPL 2025.

Sourav Ganguly new coach? 

“Let me give you some news. Ricky Ponting won’t be the DC coach any more. Geoffery Boycott is absolutely right! Ponting has not been able to take DC forward in these seven years. Need to talk to the management. I would suggest looking at Indian options for the coach,” Ganguly told Aajkaal.

“Why not me? Let’s see if I can do it or not. We need to rope in some new players. I wanted to bring in England’s new star Jamie Smith for DC’s SA20 side (Pretoria Capitals). He was even ready to come in, but then England will be busy for their India tour at that time,” Ganguly added.

When asked about his potential replacement, Ganguly openly expressed his willingness to take on the role himself. Since joining DC in 2019, Ganguly has worked closely with Ponting, but this recent development and Ganguly’s proactive approach indicate a new chapter for the franchise in the IPL.

Sourav Ganguly, who used to lead India’s cricket team, said that Ricky Ponting won’t be coaching Delhi Capitals in the next Indian Premier League season. Ponting has been coaching Delhi Capitals since 2018. Before that, he coached Mumbai Indians and helped them win the IPL in 2015. However, Delhi Capitals still haven’t won their first IPL title under his coaching.

While Ponting was coach, Delhi Capitals made it to the IPL final for the first time, but they didn’t win. Their recent performances have been disappointing, including this year’s IPL where they finished sixth with 7 wins and 7 losses. They haven’t made the playoffs since 2022.

Ponting’s coaching journey with Delhi Capitals

To turn things around, Delhi Capitals decided to part ways with Ricky Ponting. Sourav Ganguly, who directs cricket operations for the team, confirmed the news. Ganguly emphasized that Ponting couldn’t lead the team forward during his 7 years as head coach.

Ganguly expressed his goal of winning the IPL title next year and taking charge as head coach. He also mentioned plans to hire Indian coaches for the team.

“I have to plan for next year’s IPL. I want to win the IPL for Delhi Capitals once. The mega auction is next year, and hence I have started planning from now on,” Sourav Ganguly told

“Let me break a news. head Ricky Ponting will not be the coach of Delhi Capitals. Geoffrey Boycott was right, as Ponting has not been able to take the franchise forward in the past 7 years. I have to speak with the franchise and ask them to look at Indian coaches. I will be the head coach. Let’s see how I perform,” he added.

DC’s Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly said that Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant is an instinctive leader whose captaincy will improve with time and experience as well. However, Pant returned to competitive cricket after a long recovery from a horrific accident in December 2022. Under Pant’s leadership, DC registered seven wins in the group stage. And, with 14 points and a net run rate (NRR) of -0.377, their playoff chances are dependent on other teams’ results.

Rishabh Pant did well for DC

“Pant is a young captain, he’ll learn with time. The way he returned from injury to play a full season; we had our doubts during the off-season,” Ganguly told JioCinema. “Indian players are crucial, especially since the TATA IPL shifted to 10 teams. I am very happy for him that he returned to play so well over a full season. He has all my well-wishes for whatever is next.”

However, Rishabh Pant has opined on his captaincy on numerous occasions, but he has also made some mistakes as well. They also faced seven losses. Meanwhile, pacers Mukesh Kumar and Rasikh Dar Salam did well this season, and Ganguly applauded them.

ALSO READ: Zaheer Khan shares MS Dhoni’s plans after IPL 2024

“Mukesh has been our best bowler this season” – Sourav Ganguly

“With time, he’ll become a better captain. Nobody is a great captain from day one, but he is an instinctual captain, he makes decisions on the ground. With more time, he’ll get better,” he said.

“You’ve seen Rasikh’s development over time. The more matches he played, the better he got. It’s not easy to bowl on the Delhi wicket. This wicket is great, and the ground isn’t that big, so I think for any bowler, it isn’t easy to bowl here. Rasikh has improved a lot. Mukesh has been our best bowler this season. He bowls all the difficult overs, whether at the start or at the death. There has been no match this season where we didn’t need his bowling in the death. We knew that conceding sixes would lead to more losses, so he has consistently delivered there. Our Indian bowlers have been great this season,” he concluded.

Delhi Capitals assistant coach Pravin Amre has recently said that star India opener Prithvi Shaw’s exclusion from the last few games was justified considering the way Abishek Porel was batting in the tournament. Shaw, who played eight games, scored only 198 runs which came at an average of 24.75 and a strike rate of 163.63, and struck one half-century.

Prithvi Shaw faced poor form this season

“He [Shaw] was our retained played, and as you see, last four [of five] games he was also on the bench. But that’s the IPL,” Pravin Amre said after DC’s 19-run win over Lucknow Super Giants in their last league game of the season. “If you are not in form, you can’t [keep your place]. Ultimately, the pressure for the team is so much that every game is important and we have to win. And we had done that. Without playing him, we won the games. And whoever got the opportunity… I think Abishek grabbed the opportunities with both hands.”

ALSO READ: Zaheer Khan shares MS Dhoni’s plans after IPL 2024

Abishek Porel stepped up with the bat

However, Prithvi Shaw didn’t play the first two games of the season but scored a quickfire 43 off 27 balls against Chennai Super Kings in his first match as well. He also had a 40-ball 66 against Mumbai Indians but he lost his form after that. Porel, on the other hand, smashed 327 runs in 12 innings which came at a strike rate of 159.51. On Tuesday, he smashed 58 off 33 balls, helping DC score 73 in the powerplay, as he added a 92-run stand with Shai Hope for the second wicket as well.

“What an innings [Porel] played today,” Amre said. “We saw Jake [Fraser-McGurk] getting out in the first over and even then we managed to get 73 runs in the powerplay. I think that’s what was so critical and the credit goes to Shai Hope and Porel for getting that 92-run partnership today,” he concluded.

In the three matches Abhishek Porel played as an opener, he scored 159 runs at a strike rate of 165.62. Both his fifties also came at the top of the order as well.

Delhi Capitals registered a convincing win by 19 runs over Lucknow Super Giants at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi in the 64th match of the ongoing IPL 2024. Abishek Porel and Tristan Stubbs smashed quick knocks and Ishant Sharma claimed three wickets and helped the team win.

DC players did well with the bat

Lucknow Super Giants won the toss and opted to bowl first. Batting first, DC lost their in-form opener Jake Fraser-McGurk for a duck. However, Abishek Porel and Shai Hope maintained their good form and added 92 runs within 8.3 overs. Porel scored 58 off 33 with 5 fours and 4 sixes whereas Hope smashed 38 off 27 with 3 fours and two sixes as well.

However, after their dismissals, middle-order batters Rishabh Pant and Tristan Stubbs stepped up. While Pant scored a quickfire 33 off 23 with 5 fours, Tristan Stubbs’ unbeaten fifty and Axar Patel’s quick 14 helped them to post 208 runs in their allotted 20 overs with the loss of 4 wickets.

ALSO READ: Zaheer Khan shares MS Dhoni’s plans after IPL 2024

Nicholas Pooran scored a quick fifty

While chasing, Lucknow Super Giants had a poor start as their opener KL Rahul got out for a mere 5. Soon, they lost their upper order within the powerplay and that didn’t help them to get back in the game again. However, Nicholas Pooran tried to steady the ship with the middle-order batters. But neither Ayush Badoni nor Krunal Pandya could support him. Pooran scored 61 off 27 with 6 fours and 4 sixes.

However, Arshad Khan played a quickfire knock of 58* off 33 with the help of 3 fours and 5 sixes. But his quickfire knock couldn’t help his side as they lost by 19 runs as well.

After the match, KL Rahul said: “I feel the wicket remained the same throughout the 40 overs. When we got JFM out in the first over we should have capitalized, but they – Hope and Porel – showed a lot of intent. We did well at the back end and 200 was a par total, we should have chased it down. This has been a problem right through the season – we keep losing a lot of wickets in the powerplay, we never get a solid start to get the likes of Stoinis and Pooran in, that is the big reason why we are in this position.”

The 64th match of the IPL 2024 season will be played between Delhi Capitals vs Lucknow Super Giants at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. However, Lucknow Super Giants won the toss and opted to bowl first.

DC won six games so far and lost seven as well. On the other hand, LSG won six games so far and they lost six games as well. However, both teams will try to win the game and keep the momentum on. This is going to be an exciting match for both teams as well.

ALSO READ: Zaheer Khan shares MS Dhoni’s plans after IPL 2024

IPL 2024: DC vs LSG, Match 64: Who said what at the toss?

Rishabh Pant: We would have batted first. There are a lot of things going on (regarding qualification) but you can only focus on winning the game. If you had not lost too many wickets we would have won that game, but easier to say that from sitting out. That is a concern throughout the season but as a captain you can ask the players to give their best and they are doing that. We have two changes – myself and Naib come in, Warner misses out.

KL Rahul: We will bowl first. It is because of how our team is placed and what will help our team. We are a young bowling attack and get them into the game early, we have experienced batters and they can take the pressure. It is pretty clear for us, we have to win both games. The last two games we have not been up to the mark and have been blasted out of the game. The bowlers have to be brave, as a bowling unit you might fear using change ups but they have to do just back themselves. Couple of changes.

Playing XIs:

Delhi Capitals: Abishek Porel, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Shai Hope, Rishabh Pant (w/c), Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Gulbadin Naib, Rasikh Dar Salam, Mukesh Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed

Lucknow Super Giants: KL Rahul (w/c), Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Krunal Pandya, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Arshad Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mohsin Khan

Delhi Capitals Impact Subs: Ishant Sharma, Kumar Kushagra, Praveen Dubey, Swastik Chikara, Lalit Yadav

Lucknow Super Giants Impact Subs: Manimaran Siddharth, Devdutt Padikkal, Ayush Badoni, Prerak Mankad, Krishnappa Gowtham

With the Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants locked in a battle for playoff contention, the stakes couldn’t be higher in their upcoming clash, the 64th match of the Indian Premier League. Despite residing in the mid-table, both teams remain firmly in the hunt for a playoff berth, each with 12 points to their name. As they go head-to-head in this pivotal encounter, expect a tense and thrilling contest, with both sides eager to secure the coveted fourth playoff spot and strengthen their position in the tournament.

As Delhi Capitals gear up for their next match following a disappointing 47-run defeat to Bangalore, they aim to bounce back strongly. Despite the setback, it’s essential to note that Delhi has enjoyed recent success, clinching victory in three of their last five matches. The return of their star batsman, Rishabh Pant, adds significant firepower to the lineup. Pant, the team’s leading run-scorer with 413 runs in 12 innings, missed their previous match due to suspension, making his presence all the more crucial for Delhi’s campaign.

See Also: IPL 2024: Team Analysis: What factors make SRH’s batting side so lethal this season?

Team Form Analysis – LSG & DC

In the upcoming game, two pivotal players to watch out for are Jake Fraser-McGurk and Tristan Stubbs. Fraser-McGurk has showcased remarkable form, accumulating 330 runs in only 8 matches, highlighting his explosive power at the start of innings with a striking strike rate of 237.41. Meanwhile, Stubbs has been equally influential, contributing 321 runs across 13 matches, boasting an impressive average of 45.85 and a swift strike rate of 185.54.

Delhi Capitals possess a formidable pace attack led by the lethal duo of Mukesh Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed. Both bowlers have clinched an impressive 16 wickets each in this season’s IPL. Mukesh is particularly known for his precision yorkers, while Khaleel boasts a commendable economy rate of 10.30. This potent combination of right-arm and left-arm pacers is poised to pose significant challenges for Lucknow’s batting lineup.

Additionally, Delhi’s arsenal includes the skilled left-arm wrist spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, who has been a trump card for the team. With 15 wickets in just 10 matches, Yadav has maintained an impressive economy rate of 8.69 and a striking strike rate of 15.60, further enhancing Delhi’s bowling strength.

Lucknow Super Giants commenced their IPL 2024 campaign on a strong note, clinching victories in three out of their initial four matches. However, their momentum has dwindled lately, evidenced by their defeat in five of the last seven games, including three out of the last four encounters. Despite this recent slump, KL Rahul remains a standout performer for the team. The opening batsman has showcased exceptional consistency, accumulating a notable 460 runs in 12 innings, significantly surpassing the run tally of any other Lucknow player.

While Rahul’s stellar contributions have been instrumental, Lucknow will seek to rejuvenate their early-season form by garnering impactful performances from other key players like Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran. With their playoff aspirations hanging in the balance, the team will rely on a collective effort to reignite their campaign and secure crucial victories in the remaining matches of the tournament.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a cricketing extravaganza and a platform where legendary cricketers showcase their skills. However, as time passes, cricketers inevitably face the prospect of bidding farewell to the field. The ongoing IPL tournament could be the last season of their career. In such a situation, if we talk about those 5 legendary players whose IPL 2024 could be the last IPL season, then their names are as follows-

1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (CSK)

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, fondly known as ‘Captain Cool,’ has been a stalwart of Indian cricket and the IPL. However, at 42, Dhoni’s physical fitness has become a concern, exacerbated by recurring orthopedic issues. With speculation rife about his retirement, IPL 2024 could be the swansong for the former Chennai Super Kings captain. Under his leadership, CSK achieved enormous success in this league. CSK won the IPL title five times under his leadership. At the start of the season, Dhoni passed the baton of CSK leadership role to young batter Ruturaj Gaikwad.

See Also: Watch: Dhoni special for fans at Chepauk after beating Rajasthan

MS Dhoni entered the IPL fray in 2008, embarking on a journey that would cement his legacy as one of the greatest players in the tournament’s history. Over the years, Dhoni has graced the IPL stage with his exceptional batting prowess in 262 matches, amassing a staggering total of 5,218 runs.

With a remarkable batting average of 39.23, Dhoni has been a linchpin for his teams, often delivering match-winning performances. Among his many achievements in the IPL, Dhoni has registered an impressive tally of 24 half-centuries, with his highest individual score at an unbeaten 84 runs.

Dhoni’s ability to find the boundaries is evident from his impressive count of 360 fours and 251 sixes throughout his IPL career. His penchant for finishing matches in style has endeared him to cricket fans worldwide, earning him the moniker of ‘Captain Cool.’

2. Amit Mishra (LSG)

Amit Mishra, the seasoned leg-spinner representing Lucknow Super Giants, finds himself in a similar predicament as Dhoni. At 41 years old, Mishra’s playing opportunities and fitness concerns have dwindled. It’s unlikely that Mishra will feature prominently in future IPL seasons, making IPL 2024 a possible curtain call for the leg-spin maestro.

Amit Mishra made his IPL debut in 2008 and has been a prominent figure in the tournament. Throughout his 162-match career, Mishra has showcased his bowling prowess by claiming 174 wickets. With an impressive average of 23.84, Mishra has proven to be a formidable force in the IPL bowling lineup. He has maintained an economy rate of approximately 7.38 runs per over, demonstrating his ability to consistently contain batters while taking wickets.

Mishra’s best individual bowling performance in the IPL came with figures of 5/17, highlighting his match-winning capabilities with the ball. In the IPL Auction 2024, the Lucknow franchise secured Mishra’s services for Rs 50.00 Lac, recognizing his value as a seasoned spinner.

3. Wriddhiman Saha (GT)

Gujarat Titans wicket keeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha has had a distinguished career in Indian cricket. However, at 39 years old and with retirement from international cricket behind him, Saha’s IPL prospects seem bleak. His absence from domestic cricket further diminishes the likelihood of seeing him in the IPL beyond 2024.

Wriddhiman Saha entered the IPL arena in 2008, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey in the tournament. Throughout his IPL career, which spans 170 matches, Saha has consistently performed with the bat, amassing 2,934 runs. His batting average is a respectable 24.25, reflecting his ability to contribute consistently to his team’s success.

Saha’s IPL portfolio boasts one century and 13 half-centuries, with his highest individual score being an unbeaten 115 runs. His knack for scoring boundaries is evident from the impressive tally of 296 fours and 87 sixes that he has accumulated over the years.

In the IPL Auction 2024, the Gujarat franchise secured Saha’s services for Rs 1.90 Cr, recognizing his worth as a reliable wicketkeeper-batsman.

4. Dinesh Karthik (RCB)

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s dependable wicketkeeper-batsman, Dinesh Karthik, may appear fit on the field, but at 38, age catches up with even the most seasoned players. As he approaches 40, Karthik’s future in the IPL remains uncertain, with teams possibly preferring younger talent over experienced campaigners.

Dinesh Karthik stepped into the IPL arena in 2008, marking the beginning of a prolific career in the tournament. Over the years, Karthik has showcased his batting prowess in 254 IPL matches, accumulating 4,817 runs. With an impressive batting average of 26.61, Karthik has established himself as a dependable middle-order batsman in the IPL circuit.

Throughout his IPL journey, Karthik has notched up an impressive tally of 22 half-centuries, with his highest individual score standing at an unbeaten 97 runs. His ability to find boundaries is evident from the 464 fours and 160 sixes he registered in his IPL career.

5. Ishant Sharma (DC)

Delhi Capitals’ experienced fast bowler, Ishant Sharma, faces the dual challenge of age and fitness concerns. At 35, Sharma’s pace bowling prowess may be on the wane, compounded by potential fitness issues. With the demands of T20 cricket and younger talents emerging, IPL 2024 could mark the end of Sharma’s IPL journey.

Ishant Sharma entered the IPL arena in 2008, marking the commencement of his journey in the tournament. Over the years, Sharma has participated in 108 IPL matches, showcasing his bowling prowess on various occasions. With 89 wickets to his name, Sharma has proven to be a valuable asset for his teams in the IPL.

Sharma’s bowling statistics include an average of 34.93, with an economy rate of approximately 8.21 runs per over. His best individual bowling figures stand at an impressive 5/12, reflecting his ability to deliver match-winning performances when called upon.

The 62nd match of the IPL 2024 season will be played between Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals (RCB vs DC) at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, May 12, 2024. However, Delhi Capitals won the toss and opted to bowl first.

RCB won Five games so far and lost seven as well. On the other hand, DC won six games so far and they lost six games as well. However, both teams will try to win the game and keep the momentum on. This is going to be an exciting match for both teams as well.

ALSO READ: Zaheer Khan shares MS Dhoni’s plans after IPL 2024

IPL 2024: RCB vs DC, Match 62: Who said what at the toss?

Faf du Plessis: Little bit less grass than earlier games. Hopefully it’s a good wicket. We look forward to every game now – we’re playing some good cricket. Have to start again. We have got more of that confidence in the dressing room. Same team for us.

Axar Patel: Will bowl first. Bangalore wicket is always good. It’s a chasing ground. When we start well, we dominate the game. Rishabh was angry, and had appealed as well against the suspension. He’s at the ground here, motivating the team. Kushagra comes in for Rishabh. Rasikh Dhar is in.

Playing XIs:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Faf du Plessis(c), Virat Kohli, Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik(w), Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Lockie Ferguson, Yash Dayal

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Impact Subs: Swapnil Singh, Anuj Rawat, Suyash Prabhudessai, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Himanshu Sharma

Delhi Capitals: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abishek Porel(w), Shai Hope, Kumar Kushagra, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel(c), Kuldeep Yadav, Rasikh Dar Salam, Mukesh Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed

Delhi Capitals Impact Subs: David Warner, Sumit Kumar, Ricky Bhui, Vicky Ostwal, Pravin Dubey