Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has opened up on Delhi Capitals’ potential releases ahead of IPL 2026 auction. The renowned commentator reckons Delhi can release Australian opener Jake Fraser-McGurk. The pugnacious right-hander could only manage 55 runs in six matches of IPL 2025 at an average of 9.17 and a strike rate of 105.76.
The Australian batter was bought for INR 9 crore in IPL 2025 mega auction. Chopra added that by releasing McGurk, Delhi can target players like Cameron Green and Jonny Bairstow in the auction.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “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.”
Chopra added that DC can also let go of T Natarajan if they are not playing him. The left-arm seamer did not get to play in the previous season after the franchise spent INR 11 crore on him in the auction.
“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.
The former Delhi batter said Delhi Capitals can also release bowlers like Mukesh Kumar, Mohit Sharma and Afghanistan batter Sediqullah Atal.
“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.”
The last date to reveal the retention list is November 15.
