Leg and off: Should Delhi Capitals retain David Warner ahead of IPL 2025 auction?

The new retention rules and slabs for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction has franchises busy pondering the players to retain and let go before the deadline of October 31. While a few franchises have established cores and clear strategies making the decision straightforward, others like the Delhi Capitals (DC) are walking a tightrope.

Central to DC's auction strategies for overseas players will be veteran batter and IPL legend David Warner. The former Australian opener has been part of the DC setup since 2022, yet, unfortunately for him and the side, they have missed the playoffs all three seasons.

The franchise had just begun to build a strong core and an identity with a hat-trick of playoff runs from 2019 to 2021 but the last three seasons have seen them resort to their customary struggles that plagued them from 2013 to 2018.

With Ricky Ponting's departure as head coach after seven years at the helm, it is clear that DC are looking at a rebuild to get back to winning ways.

Where and if David Warner features in those plans is anybody's guess but it is worth deep diving into factors that could determine if DC should retain the Aussie great ahead of the IPL 2025 auction.

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#1 IPL 2024 struggles and international retirement signals a 'big no-no'

The last 12 to 14 months certainly work against David Warner being retained by the Delhi Capitals in more ways than one.

The 37-year-old endured arguably his worst season with the bat in IPL 2024, scoring only 168 runs at a dismal average of 21 and a strike rate of 134.40. Furthermore, Warner's strike rates have been under 135 in four of the last five IPL seasons - a clear indication of his dwindling ball-striking abilities.

It is also worth remembering for DC that Warner has retired from international cricket this year. This will mean a possible reduction in game-time before the IPL season henceforth, barring participation in a select few leagues around the globe.

This has hampered the performances of even great players in the past, where their returns dwindle after international retirement. Warner's age of 37 also works against him as the franchise will have to wonder how long the champion batter can produce at a high level.

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#2 DC have too many other options in their retention pool ahead of David Warner

Even as the League allows for five capped players to be retained, it's hard to see David Warner come in the top five should DC want to maximize their retentions.

In Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav, they have three Indian players at the peak of their careers and coming off triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Even among overseas players, Tristan Stubbs and Jake Fraser-McGurk have leaped ahead of Warner with their exploits last season.

Stubbs provided DC with several explosive finishes in the middle-order, scoring 378 runs at an average of 54 and a strike rate of 190.90. Meanwhile, McGurk was the surprise of the 2024 IPL, thrilling Delhi fans with sparkling starts in the powerplay and finishing the season with 330 runs at an average of 36.66 and a strike rate of 234.04.

The duo are also in their early to mid-20s and about to potentially enter the prime of their cricketing careers, while Warner is at the fag end by all accounts.

Thus, even in the extreme scenario of the franchise using all five capped player retentions, Warner may not find a place as one of the names.

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#3 DC's results and RTM factor further doom possibility of retaining Warner

There is no denying that David Warner is a brand name and a legend of the IPL - factors often weighed in while retaining players. He is the fourth leading scorer in the league's history with over 6,500 runs and the most accomplished overseas batter.

Warner is also a title winner with the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) as captain and his leadership mettle as a veteran could be highly valuable even if there is a reduction in tangible numbers.

Yet, it cannot be dismissed that since his return to the franchise in 2022, the side has missed the playoffs on each occasion.

Also, with the lowest retention price being ₹11 crores (3rd retention), DC must weigh up the possibility of Warner at this age after international retirement and a sub-par 2024 season being a high-value for some other team.

Should they conclude that his maximum price in the auction will be considerably lower than ₹11 crores, they can always use the Right-To-Match (RTM) option to try and bring him back should it be required.

Even with the new RTM rules allowing for one final bid by the highest bidder after DC use the RTM card, Warner's price is unlikely to reach ₹11 crores. Hence, DC must resist the temptation to retain the Aussie opener even if they find reasons for wanting him back and go the RTM route for the same.

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To conclude, the cons of DC retaining David Warner certainly outweigh the pros for a plethora of reasons, making it wise for the franchise to let go of the Aussie legend. Even if they wish to have Warner back in the squad, they must use the RTM route, considering his value at the auction will likely be much less than the lowest retention price of ₹11 crores.