“They can make a figure between 35 to 40 crore”

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has identified the players Delhi Capitals (DC) could release ahead of the IPL 2026 retention deadline on November 15. Speaking in a YouTube video released on Friday, November 14, Chopra suggested that DC could free up between ₹35 to 40 crore by making strategic releases.

The 48-year-old explained that DC could release opening batter Jake Fraser-McGurk, who struggled in the 2025 edition, scoring just 55 runs in six innings, which would free up ₹9 crore. Chopra further added that the team could consider releasing T. Natarajan, who was bought for ₹10.75 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction but received limited game time, and might be bought back later at a lower price. He said:

“Now I’ll tell you how they (DC) can actually have nearly ₹40 crore. They can also make a figure between 35 to 40 crore if they want. First of all, just leave Jake Fraser. If you leave JFM, then ₹9 crore gets released. ₹9 crore, that’s a lot of money. So if ₹9 crore gets released, I’m thinking Johnny Bairstow will also come in the option, Cameron Green will also come in the option. Of course, Johnny Bairstow may come for less than nine, Cameron Green maybe not even for double nine, but they will come in the option, and others will come too.”

“So if you leave Jake, ₹9 crore. If you leave T. Natarajan, nearly ₹11 crore. So in your two players, that’s 20. Now ideally, T. Natarajan should not be left, I think you should keep him. Why? Because such a bowler will not be available again and again. But you also know that, right? Still, you didn’t play him. If you are not going to play him, you have nearly ₹11 crore lying outside for almost the entirety of the season, so then just leave him. It’s possible that there may not be as much demand for him in the market. You can also buy him back for ₹5 crore. I mean, that’s also a possibility, if you leave him, that’s 20 crore,” he added.

T. Natarajan has played 63 IPL matches, claiming 67 wickets at an average of 30.11, a strike rate of 20.2, and maintaining an economy rate of 8.93.

“That’s a lot of money” – Aakash Chopra on DC’s probable purse heading into IPL 2026 auction

In the same video, Aakash Chopra further added that DC could boost their purse by releasing pacers Mukesh Kumar and Mohit Sharma, as well as Afghan batter Sediqullah Atal. He remarked:

“And if you leave Mukesh Kumar too, then 28 crore. Mukesh Kumar is ₹8 crore, so if you leave Mukesh, that’s ₹8 crore you can release. And then of course, there’s Harry Brook’s money. You can decide to leave Mohit Sharma, leave Atal, and then the extra ₹5 crore you get at the auction time. There you go, brother, 30 to 35 crore. That’s a lot of money. And they will definitely need it. Of course.”

DC fell short of the playoffs in the 2025 IPL, finishing the season in fifth place with 15 points.