"I would say Axar Patel at No. 2" - Aakash Chopra on Delhi Capitals' potential retentions ahead of IPL 2025 auction

Aakash Chopra reckons Axar Patel should be the Delhi Capitals' (DC) second retention ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. He pointed out that the spin-bowling all-rounder has excelled for the franchise and might be expensive if they try to reacquire him through the 'Right To Match' card.

The Capitals failed to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs, finishing sixth after the league phase. Axar was one of their better performers, amassing 235 runs at a strike rate of 131.28 in 12 innings and picking up 11 wickets at an economy rate of 7.65 in 44 overs.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra opined that Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel should be the Delhi Capitals' first two retentions.

"Rishabh Pant needs to be retained, although there were rumors earlier that the guy won't stay. However, now they are saying that it's confirmed he is going to stay. So Rishabh Pant as your first retention, keep 18 crores there," he said (1:30).

"I would say Axar Patel at No. 2 because Bapu's performances have been excellent for this team, and have been excellent otherwise as well. He bowls four overs, bats very well, and is a good fielder. If you put him in the auction, you will have to pay a lot for the RTM. So I feel you should retain him," the former India opener added.

Chopra feels the IPL 2020 finalists have to choose between Jake Fraser-McGurk and Kuldeep Yadav as their third retention before the auction.

"Ideally, you go towards an Indian for the third player but if you wish, you can also retain Jake Fraser-McGurk. You need both Jake Fraser-McGurk and Kuldeep Yadav. However, you will be able to retain one and will have to use the RTM for the other," he observed.

Chopra acknowledged that franchises can retain five capped players ahead of the auction. However, he opined that apart from Rishabh Pant, the Delhi Capitals do not have a player who should be retained for ₹18 crore, and should therefore restrict themselves to only three capped retentions.

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"You can retain him for 4 crores" - Aakash Chopra on Abishek Porel as the Delhi Capitals' potential uncapped retention

In the same video, Aakash Chopra urged the Delhi Capitals to retain Abishek Porel as an uncapped player.

"After that, Abishek Porel. He is still uncapped and will remain uncapped till the auction. You can retain him for four crores. You will have two 'Right To Match' cards after retaining three capped players and Abishek Porel," he said (2:30).

The cricketer-turned-commentator reckons the Delhi-based franchise should use the RTM cards for Jake Fraser-McGurk or Kuldeep Yadav, whoever is not retained, and Khaleel Ahmed.

"You can use one for Jake Fraser-McGurk/Kuldeep Yadav, whoever you don't retain. You can use the second one for Khaleel Ahmed. You should somehow try to acquire Khaleel Ahmed because his stature has grown. He is bowling very well and swinging the ball both ways," Chopra reasoned.

However, Chopra acknowledged that the new RTM rules could make Khaleel very expensive at the auction. He suggested Tristan Stubbs as an alternative RTM option for the Delhi Capitals.