Four-time TATA WPL finalists Delhi Capitals, and Gujarat Giants will look to make key strategic additions to their squads at the TATA WPL 2027 Auction. Speaking on JioStar’s ‘Game Plan’, JioStar expert Reema Malhotra shared her thoughts on DC’s key priorities at the auction, the need for an experienced wicketkeeper-batter, and the areas GG need to address to complete their squad.
Speaking on JioStar’s ‘Game Plan’, JioStar expert Reema Malhotra weighed in on the gaps DC need to fill at the mini auction:
“Delhi Capitals will be heading into the mini-auction thinking about how they can win the trophy after losing three times in a row, and what gaps they need to fill to achieve that. The biggest gap is that they don’t have a wicketkeeper batter. Taniyaa Bhatia was there before but has been released, and Lizelle Lee has been let go of too, so Delhi’s main priority will be to sort out that spot. This WPL auction is going to be a jackpot for the wicketkeepers, because almost every team needs one. In this Delhi team, the overseas players are sorted with Laura Wolvaardt, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp and Chinelle Henry, so there is no problem there. In the spin department, they have Shree Charani, and Nandni Sharma will lead the pace attack. But they need support bowlers as they have released Alana King and Sneh Rana, because Shree Charani cannot be the lone spinner. Either a leg spinner, an off-spinner, or an Indian all-rounder would help Delhi, because without that, they won’t have a sixth bowling option.”
On why DC need an experienced wicket-keeper batter:
“Mamatha Madiwala is there in the squad, but she’s quite young. She has the talent required to excel, but she’s not that experienced, and Delhi require an experienced wicketkeeper batter to get their hands on the trophy. In a tournament like the WPL, you need someone who can handle the pressure behind the stumps and contribute with the bat. An experienced wicketkeeper can guide the bowlers, set the field, and keep the team calm in tight situations. That kind of leadership is difficult to find in a young player. If DC want to end their wait for the trophy, they need someone who has been there and done it before. Otherwise, they will keep falling short in the big moments.”
On DC’s interest in Grace Harris and why they still need an Indian spin-bowling all-rounder to complete their team:
“Grace Harris is a name Delhi Capitals could look at. A lot of teams will go for her, but I feel Delhi will put in a good fight to secure her services. She can strengthen their middle order. But I still feel DC need an Indian all-rounder, someone who can bat in the middle order and give the option of spin in the middle overs. So, an all-rounder and a wicketkeeper complete this team. If they want an Indian batter in the top order, they can think about introducing Deeya Yadav into the playing XI, who has played for Haryana under Shafali’s leadership, so you can see her playing a part at some point in the season. They have Minnu Mani, but she’s not known for her batting. She bowls well and is a good fielder too, so if Delhi make her play, she can fill in somewhere. But I still feel they need a stronger option for that Indian spin-bowling all-rounder.”
On what GG need at the mini auction:
“Gujarat Giants are not going to be in the hunt for many big players. They mainly need backups for their main players. Renuka Singh Thakur and Kashvee Gautam are their main pacers, but Kashvee is injury-prone and Renuka is struggling for form. It’s a long tournament, so you need a backup pacer, because they have released Titas Sadhu. So, Gujarat need a backup pacer, or someone who comes straight into the XI, and that too an Indian pacer. They have Kanika Ahuja, but even if she plays in the playing XI, Gujarat will still need a bowling all-rounder. Maybe a leg spinner. The purse is not that big, but they need a match-winner in this team.”
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