IPL 2014: Players that Delhi Daredevils should retain

After a disappointing bottom finish in IPL 2013, the Delhi Daredevils team owners moved quickly to sign former Indian national team coach Gary Kirsten as the team’s new head coach in a bid to bounce back and put up a strong show in IPL 2014.

The IPL player retention rules have been complicated by the inclusion of the “right-to-match” option along with the high prices for retained players. Teams will have to choose wisely on whether to try to retain the core of their present players, or attempt to build a fresh unit.

It will be interesting to see what strategy Gary Kirsten opts for in building the Delhi Daredevils team as he tries to replicate the success that he had with the Indian national team.

While it is highly unlikely that the Daredevils team management will decide to retain 5 players from the team that played last year (which is the maximum allowed by the IPL Governing Council), there will be certain players that Kirsten will want to ensure to have in his team and some others whom the team will try to purchase back from the auction.

Players that should be retained by the Delhi Daredevils:

David Warner

David Warner (Photo: Getty Images)

The explosive batsman showed good form in the recently concluded Ashes, where he was the top-scorer in Australia’s whitewash victory. His dazzling stroke-play with a penchant to hit lofted shots and a very effective switch-hit shot makes him a dangerous batsman for any opposition.

A brilliant fielder as well, Warner has been a part of the Delhi Daredevils’ setup since 2009 and Kirsten will look to have the destructive batsmen continue in the team for the coming season.