The Delhi Capitals are likely to retain three players – skipper Rishabh Pant (Rs18 crore), all-rounder Axar Patel (Rs 14 crore), and spinner Kuldeep Yadav (Rs 11 crore), PTI has reported.
Meanwhile, leading the run for the head coach position is Hemang Badani, while Munaf Patel is being considered for a support staff role. The franchise recently parted ways with Ricky Ponting, their head coach since 2018, due to availability issues.
“DC management is looking at quality home-grown coaches and Hemang and Munaf’s names have cropped up. A final decision is yet to be taken but in case of Munaf, it could be bowling coach’s job,” an IPL source told PTI.
With five retentions costing Rs 75 crore, it’s likely that Jake Fraser-McGurk, last year’s breakout star, and South African Tristan Stubbs – two key foreign players – could be retained using Right to Match (RTM) cards if their price remains within the team’s budget.
The possibility of Hemang Badani becoming head coach may reflect a management shift for the next two years, with GMR, one of the co-owners (alongside JSW), taking charge of team operations.
It is believed that the two co-owners have a rotating agreement, where they alternate in micro-managing the team for two-year periods.
Badani, who previously worked alongside Brian Lara at Sunrisers Hyderabad, could land a significant opportunity if appointed as Delhi Capitals’ head coach.
The former Tamil Nadu cricketer, who played four Tests and 40 ODIs between 2001-2004, had a memorable career highlight—scoring an ODI century against Australia during the famous 2001 series.
If selected, Badani would face the challenge of guiding Delhi Capitals to their elusive first IPL title, a goal they’ve chased since the league’s debut in 2008.
Delhi has only reached one final, in 2020, where they were defeated by Mumbai Indians.
(With PTI inputs)