Former India batter Aakash Chopra said Delhi Capitals need lower-middle-order batters, calling them a top-heavy side. The auction for IPL 2024 is scheduled to take place in Dubai on Tuesday, December 19.

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Speaking on his Youtube channel, Chopra said DC is a top-heavy team and need lower-middle-order batters. Delhi Capitals released 11 players ahead of the IPL2024 retention deadline last month.

“They have released Phil Salt, who was playing decently. They have released Rilee Rossouw and Rovman Powell as well. So who will bat down the order? They were a top-heavy team till last year and they are still a top-heavy team. So this team’s biggest problem is their lower-middle-order batting. They need lower-middle-order batters, so they will have to buy everyone who bats there,” said Chopra.

He went on to say that DC will have to buy fast bowlers since South Africa pacer Anrich Nortje’s availability is always in question. Nortje played 10 matches last season, picking 10 wickets with an economy of 9.10.

“They have released two left-arm pacers. They said they neither need Mustafizur Rahman nor Chetan Sakariya. They have left Kamlesh Nagarkoti as well. So they will have to buy fast bowlers because there is always a question about Anrich Nortje’s availability,” Chopra added.

DC finished ninth in the IPL 2023 points table, winning five matches and losing nine. The ended with 10 points from a possible 28, with a net run-rate of -0.808.

DC squad ahead of IPL 2024 auction

Rishabh Pant, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Prithvi Shaw, Khaleel Ahmed, Lalit Yadav, Pravin Dubey, Mukesh Kumar, Yash Dhull, Vicky Ostwal, Abishek Porel, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi.

Players released by DC

Rilee Rossouw, Chetan Sakariya, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Phil Salt, Mustafizur Rahman, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ripal Patel, Sarfaraz Khan, Aman Khan, Priyam Garg.