Harbhajan Singh Lists Pant, Axar, Stubbs, and McGurk as Key Retentions for Delhi Capitals

New Delhi, October 29, 2024: As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Retention deadline approaches, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has weighed in on the players Delhi Capitals (DC) should retain for the upcoming season. Harbhajan suggests that DC prioritize Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, Tristan Stubbs, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and potentially Mitchell Marsh to strengthen the franchise’s core lineup.

Delhi Capitals, who reached their first-ever IPL final in 2020, narrowly missed the playoffs last season, finishing with seven wins, seven losses, and 14 points, falling short on net run rate. Harbhajan believes retaining these players could give the Delhi-based team the balance they need to return to top form.

Reflecting on the players’ performances in IPL 2024, Rishabh Pant proved crucial with 446 runs across 13 matches at an impressive strike rate of 155.40. Axar Patel, one of India’s all-round stars, scored 235 runs with a strike rate of 131.28 and claimed 11 wickets, maintaining a steady economy rate of 24.00 across 14 games. Stubbs added firepower to DC’s batting lineup with 378 runs in 14 matches, boasting a formidable strike rate of 190.91. Newcomer Jake Fraser-McGurk also impressed with his explosive debut season, scoring 330 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of 234.04.

In a discussion with Star Sports, Harbhajan expressed his confidence in these players, stating, “We have heard a lot of speculation on whether Rishabh Pant will be retained or not. Time will tell, but if I was part of the management there, then I would have retained him. Rishabh Pant should be retained. Axar Patel should be retained. Stubbs should be retained. And the fourth player to be retained will be Fraser-McGurk. If you want to retain a fifth player, then it could be Mitch Marsh. Apart from that, I think there is no other player that you would want to retain. Out of those five players, I think Delhi Capitals should retain at least four of them.”

Delhi Capitals have recently revamped their management and coaching staff, with former Indian cricketers Hemang Badani and Venugopal Rao joining as head coach and director of cricket, respectively. Additionally, Sourav Ganguly, former Indian captain and cricketing legend, has been named Director of Cricket for JSW Sports, bringing further experience and strategic insight to DC’s support structure.

As Delhi Capitals evaluate their options, Harbhajan’s recommendations align with their recent roster-building efforts, aiming for a balance of experience, explosive batting, and versatile all-rounders. With these players in their squad, Delhi Capitals are setting the stage for a potentially powerful IPL 2025 season.