IPL 2018 Auction: What team combinations to expect

Delhi Daredevils

Can the younger players repay the faith put in them by DD?

Players retained - Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Chris Morris

Right to match cards available : 2

Delhi Daredevils took a bold step by retaining the likes of Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer. They also retained highly successful Chris Morris, who is coming out of an injury. They surprised a lot of people by retaining three players, as it was thought that they will go for a complete overhaul since they haven't had a successful season last year.

But they have shown faith in the young squad they had last season. They showed glimpses of brilliance last season, without putting up any substantial performances and they would be eager to rectify that this year. They might go for some experience in the middle order that collapsed at crucial junctures last season. They still have two RTM cards with them, which they can use to retain players from last season's squad.

They are spoiled for choice, though. They can use one of the RTM cards for an overseas player, they have plenty of options for that one spot: Quinton de Kock, Pat Cummins, Kasigo Rabada and Carlos Braithwaite.

Quinton de Kock has been highly successful for them, and it is going to be extremely difficult for them to let him go. Since Rabada's stakes have risen in the last year or so, he might provide a stiff competition to his fellow South African.

The other RTM card has to be used on an Indian player, and Sanju Samson and Karun Nair are the front runners for this spot, though Samson might be preferred as Karun had a lean season last year.

Prediction for RTM cards - Quinton de Kock, Sanju Samson