IPL 2025: 5 players Delhi Capitals should release from their current squad ft. Faf du Plessis

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Delhi Capitals (DC), a side which brought a lot of promise to the IPL 2025 season, ended in a nightmare campaign. Under the leadership of Axar Patel, DC made a strong start with four consecutive wins, raising hopes of a deep run into the playoffs. However, their momentum came to a crashing halt as they sustain six consecutive winless outings, ultimately getting knocked out of the tournament with one game still remaining. Despite boasting several proven performers from the league, the team’s sudden collapse left fans and analysts stunned, marking yet another season of unfulfilled potential.

Last night, in a must-win clash against Mumbai Indians (MI) at Wankhede, Delhi DC looked completely out of sorts, getting outplayed in all three departments of the game. DC’s batting struggles have been a recurring issue, particularly in the second half of the tournament. Their inability to build partnerships or chase competitive targets has kept them far from the playoff race. In their last six matches, Delhi managed just two wins and suffered four defeats — a run that highlights the instability in their squad and overall performance.

With another disappointing campaign nearing its end, the franchise will likely begin evaluating potential changes for the future. From fresh domestic talent to overseas reinforcements, Delhi may be eyeing a roster shake-up ahead of the next season. Here are five players the franchise could consider as replacements to strengthen their lineup and revive their fortunes going forward.

1. Faf du Plessis

The veteran South African batter, Faf du Plessis, has been one of the promising names in the IPL over the years. Known for quick starts and his ability to anchor innings, Faf didn’t bring much to the table for DC this season. Struggling for fluency and consistency, he failed to give the team the kind of starts they had hoped for. In 8 matches this season, Faf has scored just 179 runs at a strike rate of close to 120. His age is also a concern, as he turns 41 in July. It might be time for the Capitals to look toward younger, more dynamic options at the top. Releasing du Plessis would also free up a valuable overseas slot for the franchise to explore fresher, more explosive talent.

2. Mohit Sharma

Next in the list is Mohit Sharma, a right-arm pacer who brings a lot of experience to the table. Having played for various franchises over the years, Mohit is known for his economical spells in the middle and death overs. His back-of-the-hand slower one is his trademark delivery to deceive the batter. However, this season has been far from expectations, with Mohit taking just 2 wickets in 7 matches at an economy rate of 10. Considering the need for a more aggressive and consistent seam attack, DC may opt to release Mohit and invest in younger Indian fast bowlers.

Also READ: Fans go berserk as Mumbai Indians knock Delhi Capitals out of IPL 2025

3. Karun Nair

Karun Nair, a batter who made remarkable comeback to the league which left the cricketing world abuzz – scoring scintillating 89 runs in 40 balls. But the story has changed since then, as Karun managed to just score 65 runs in last 6 games. With a low strike rate and minimal contribution in pressure situations, Nair’s role in the middle order was both underwhelming and replaceable. Delhi may see this as an opportunity to refresh their batting core with in-form domestic players or uncapped stars ready for the big stage.

4. Mukesh Kumar

The fourth in the list is Mukesh Kumar, known for his tight swinging bowling in the powerplay and accurate yorkers at the death. He has been one of the most expensive bowler for DC this season. In 11 games so far, Mukesh has managed 11 wickets with an economy of over 10. He often lacked control and failed to deliver in pressure situations, conceding runs at crucial moments. With inconsistent performances and minimal breakthroughs, his role in the team became increasingly uncertain. As Delhi looks to rebuild their bowling unit, they may consider releasing Mukesh to make room for more reliable and in-form Indian fast bowling options.

5. Dushmantha Chameera

The Sri Lankan spearhead, Dushmantha Chameera, rounds up the list. Known for his raw pace that troubles batters, Chameera had a season to forget with DC. The right-arm pacer managed to take just 3 wickets with a poor economy of 11.40. Often erratic and expensive, Chameera failed to provide the control or breakthroughs the Capitals needed, particularly in the powerplay and death overs. In a league where economy and consistency matter as much as raw speed, Chameera’s performances didn’t justify his place in the side.

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