Delhi Capitals stole the headlines with their latest trade moves. The team sent T Natarajan back to Sunrisers Hyderabad and added leg-spin bowler Zeeshan Ansari to the squad. The move comes after Sourav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh assumed control of the team in various coaching capacities.
Earlier this year, Rishabh Pant made his return to Delhi after two years with Lucknow Super Giants, and Kuldeep Yadav went the other way. Former India batter Aakash Chopra questioned the team’s move behind the trades.
“First they let go of Kuldeep for Pant, and now they have swapped Natarajan for Ansari. There aren’t many spinners like Yadav in the country, and it is impossible to replace him,” he said.
“Did you really need Rishabh? He is a good player, no doubt, but does the team have a spot in the middle-order? Can you put Pant in the top-order? Looks like Lucknow benefitted greatly from the deal. The team needed someone to replace Kuldeep. They have Vipraj, Axar, and Zeeshan. The side had to release Natarajan undoubtedly, and they also could let go of Auqib Nabi and Mukesh Kumar,” he added.
“If we speak about the trades, LSG will be happier with the Pant and Yadav deal, and Hyderabad will also be happy. What are Delhi Capitals, exactly doing?”
Natarajan’s IPL numbers
Left-arm seamer from Tamil Nadu had been one of the better bowlers for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He had played 55 games for them and took 65 wickets and was a key figure in the side reaching the final in 2024, taking 19 wickets. He had a poor 2026 season, taking just five wickets from 10 games at an economy rate of 11 runs.