Under the new guidelines, a team can retain a total of six players, including capped and uncapped players, and Right to Match (RTM) options.

Find the implications of the new IPL player regulations here.

As always, DC would look to hold on to their core team. However, after a disappointing 2024 campaign, finishing sixth on the table with seven wins and as many losses, the franchise might have to make some bold decisions. Here are the players DC could retain:

Rishabh Pant - the first name on the list

Rishabh Pant is an obvious choice as the skipper of the side. Despite coming back to the field after a long layoff of over a year due to a horrific car accident, he showed no signs of rustiness, top-scoring for the team with 446 runs at an average of 40.54 and a strike rate of 155.40 in 13 innings in 2024.

Kuldeep Yadav is also an easy pick, given his vast experience in the format and the x-factor he brings as a left-arm wrist spinner. He claimed 16 wickets in 11 matches at a strike rate of 16.13 in 2024.

Read more: Rishabh Pant is already India's greatest Test keeper-batter, and he has Gilchrist in his sights

Axar Patel to start in sixth successive season

Axar Patel has been among the integral members of the DC squad since his arrival in 2019. He is a valuable asset for the side with his all-round capabilities, having scored 1,653 runs and picking 123 wickets in the IPL.

Axar has the knack of keeping his overs economical and is often asked to bowl the tough overs. He has an economy rate of 7.28 with best figures of 4-21. Although he is predominantly a lower-middle-order batter, he has also been promoted up the lineup as the crisis man to rebuild the innings.

DC might exercise their RTM option to keep hold of their star pacer Khaleel Ahmed. He has been their go-to bowler with the new ball and at the death since he signed for the franchise in 2022. Wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel could be the uncapped player DC might look to keep hold of after he burst onto the scene in 2024 with his impactful innings up top and in the middle of the order.

Also read: The forgotten man's forgotten world record: How Khaleel Ahmed made history v Zimbabwe

Should DC retain Warner?

David Warner hung up his boots from international cricket after the T20 World Cup 2024 in June. He also had a below-par IPL 2024 with the bat, scoring 168 runs at an average of 21. Hence, it is likely that the Aussie veteran would be left out of contention by the DC management.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs might earn a retention after taking the 2024 season by storm. He scored 378 runs with a staggering strike rate of 190.91 and an average of 54.00 with three fifties.

DC: Possible player retentions for IPL 2025

Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.