New Delhi, Nov 14 (NationPress) Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina asserts that KL Rahul serves as the foundation of the Delhi Capitals, making it nearly impossible for the team to part ways with him as they approach the IPL 2026 retention phase.

Rahul transitioned to Delhi prior to IPL 2025 and has emerged as one of the league's top players. With an impressive tally of 539 runs in 13 innings and a strike rate nearing 150—including a century and three half-centuries—he became the fastest player to achieve 5,000 IPL runs. Given his dual role as a wicketkeeper, Raina emphasized that Rahul's contributions are too significant for Delhi to even contemplate letting him go.

“He fetched a substantial sum in the last auction and excelled on the field,” Raina remarked. “As a T20 batsman, he provides both a reliable batting option and a wicketkeeper. I firmly believe Rahul will remain with Delhi; he’s the team’s backbone. Even Axar has performed commendably in T20Is and ODIs recently. I think he should definitely take the lead. The pressing question is whether they will retain Faf du Plessis.”

While Delhi seems to have straightforward retention decisions, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru face challenging choices, according to JioStar analyst Irfan Pathan.

Discussing Liam Livingstone, Pathan noted: “RCB acquired Liam for a significant amount, but he managed only 112 runs at a strike rate of 133. His strike rate should have been higher. Such a modest output does not justify the hefty price tag.”

He also indicated that RCB might think about releasing Rasikh Salam, primarily due to financial constraints and not necessarily performance issues. “Bowler Rasikh Salam has value in the team, but with a price of 6 crores, is it feasible for RCB to auction him off and potentially re-sign him at a lower price? A player like him is essential during the middle overs.”

Nevertheless, Raina feels that RCB is largely prepared as they head into 2026.

“RCB’s bowling squad performed admirably last season, and their batting lineup was equally impressive. Witnessing a new champion in the IPL was refreshing. The chemistry between Virat and Rajat Patidar has positively influenced the team's dynamics. They likely won’t make many changes and will retain the core of the squad. I believe RCB is in a good position. They might seek to acquire a spinner, someone to complement Krunal Pandya.”

Sunrisers Hyderabad, who had a promising start last season but faltered midway, are reassessing their middle order and bowling lineup.

Raina commented on their batting composition: “SRH requires a dependable middle-order batsman. Ishan Kishan had a strong start, scoring runs in the initial matches with an aggressive style. They also have players like Heinrich Klaasen. I believe Nitish Kumar Reddy needs to elevate his game, as the team and management are placing significant expectations on him.”

Matthew Hayden turned his attention to the bowling unit—an area he feels might see substantial changes.

“SRH’s bowling lineup is a major concern. With Hyderabad being a batting-friendly venue, they must seek out quality bowlers. Potential major releases could include Mohammed Shami, Abhinav Manohar, and Rahul Chahar. They will be on the lookout for fast bowlers with diverse skills in the upcoming mini-auction. Such bowlers are essential for capitalizing on that batting surface.”