“I think David Warner is done” – Aakash Chopra on players Delhi Capitals should retain ahead of IPL 2025 auction

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons Delhi Capitals might not retain their veteran batter David Warner ahead of IPL 2025 mega auctions. Warner scored 168 runs in eight matches of IPL 2024 at an average of 21 and a strike rate of 134.40. 

The left-hander has been a consistent performer in the IPL as he has amassed 6565 runs in 214 matches at an average of 40.52 and a strike rate of 139.77.

Chopra reckons DC might not retain Australian players like Jhye Richardson and Mitchell Marsh along with David Warner.

“The Australian investment is not working, whether it is David Warner or Mitchell Marsh. I don’t remember a single season Mitchell Marsh played fully and did well. He can do well but doesn’t play a full season. I think David Warner is done. You might not want to retain him. Forget Jhye Richardson, he won’t even come into their thoughts,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

The renowned commentator wants Delhi Capitals to retain their skipper Rishabh Pant and opener Jake Fraser-McGurk. Pant scored 446 runs (the highest for Delhi) in 13 matches of IPL 2024 at an average of 40.55 and a strike rate of 155.40 whereas McGurk smashed 330 runs in nine matches at an average of 36.67 and a whirlwind strike rate of 234.04.

“Rishabh Pant as the first retention because you want to retain the captain in any case. You won’t get anyone like Rishabh Pant again. So you will want to keep Rishabh Pant. You will want to retain Jake Fraser-McGurk. You want to go with him because of the way he bats,” Chopra reasoned.

The former batter wants DC to retain both of their left-arm spinners – Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. While Kuldeep picked 16 wickets in 11 matches, Patel bagged 11 wickets in 14 games in IPL 2024. Patel also scored 235 runs at an average of 29.38.

“Retain both Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel. You should 100% retain these four – Rishabh Pant, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel. You won’t also get anyone like Kuldeep Yadav again. You can use Axar Patel very well and you did that this time, let’s be fair, and you won’t get anyone like Axar Patel also again,” he said.

Chopra urged DC to reacquire Tristan Stubbs and Khaleel Ahmed through Right to Match. Stubbs scored 378 runs in 13 innings at a blistering strike rate of 190.90 whereas Ahmed was DC’s highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets in 14 games.

“I will think about Tristan Stubbs as my fifth player because he is batting at a very tough number. So you can keep him with you with the ‘Right to Match’ card, and last but not the least, Khaleel Ahmed. I will definitely want to retain Khaleel Ahmed, that, if possible, I can get him through the ‘Right to Match’ card,” Chopra stated.