Imran Tahir
Is it wise for DD to let go one of the best spinners in the IPL?IANS

Delhi Daredevils failed to reach the knockout stages of the Indian Premier League 2016 and they have decided to release some of their star players from the last season, including Pawan Negi and Imran Tahir. Besides the two, they have also released Nathan Coulter-Nile, Akhil Herwadkar, Mahipal Lomror and Pawan Suyal.

Negi grabbed eyeballs during the last IPL 2016 player auctions, bagging a million dollar deal. He was brought by the franchise for Rs 8.5 crore, but the all-rounder had a dismal IPL both with the bat and the ball. Sometimes, during the last season, one also failed to understood why Delhi spent so much on the player as Negi did not feature in all their matches too.

Out of the 14 league matches, Negi only featured in eight, with a poor return of 57 runs and a single wicket. One of the franchise official confirmed releasing Negi, and also explained why they paid so much for the all-rounder last year.

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"Yes, we have decided to release Pawan Negi. Obviously, the performance was a factor. The cost (Rs 8.5 crore per season) was way bit too much. One needs to understand that we needed an Indian all-rounder last year. The Indian all-rounders were at a premium and that's why Negi's price shot up. Also, Pune bid for him and that led to a bidding war. It can happen at auctions," Press Trust of India quoted a Delhi Daredevils official as saying.

Such news of Negi's release does not come as a surprise, but releasing Tahir is interesting. The leggie was one of their best players in IPL 2015, taking 15 wickets, but it seems to be his performance last year, scalping five wickets in four matches, which led to his release. Australian pacer Coulter-Nile was also shown the door as the franchise was not too sure about his fitness.

"Tahir's performance last year has not been up to the mark. Also, the moment we use him, we exhaust an overseas quota. As far as Coulter-Nile is concerned, he also had fitness issues."

Agreed, he might have been below par, but Tahir with his leg breaks can be a match-winner in the competition. Delhi's loss could be another team's gain as the player might land some mega deal with a team that is deprived of a quality spinner in the auction next year.