Delhi Capitals still hunt for their maiden IPL trophy after all these years. They’ve reached the finals before but couldn’t cross the final hurdle. This season might finally change their luck though!
The mini-auction went pretty well for DC management recently. They made some really clever buys without breaking the bank. Smart shopping can sometimes beat big spending in IPL 2026.
KL Rahul and Ben Duckett should open the batting together. Both bring different styles to the crease which confuses bowling attacks. Rahul plays anchor while Duckett goes after bowlers from ball one.
Smart Auction Picks at Base Price
David Miller joined DC for just INR 2 Crores at the base price. That’s a steal for someone with his finishing abilities! Ben Duckett also came at the same base price surprisingly.
Pathum Nissanka from Sri Lanka makes his IPL debut this season. The talented opener adds depth to DC’s batting options nicely. Having quality backup players always helps during a long tournament.
Lungi Ngidi and Kyle Jamieson were late auction picks for Delhi. Both fast bowlers can trouble batsmen on their day. Getting experienced international bowlers late in auctions shows good planning.
Homecoming and New Faces
Prithvi Shaw returns to the Delhi Capitals after being released before last season. The youngster gets another chance to prove himself in IPL 2026. Sometimes players need a fresh start at familiar places.
Auqib Nabi Dar from Jammu and Kashmir earned his maiden IPL call-up. His domestic performances caught everyone’s attention throughout the season. Young Indian pacers like him deserve these opportunities badly.
Nitish Rana and David Miller strengthen the middle order significantly. Both left-handers can accelerate scoring when needed most. Delhi Capitals’ strongest playing 11 has serious batting firepower now.
| Player | Role / Notes |
|---|---|
| KL Rahul | Batter |
| Ben Duckett | Batter |
| Karun Nair | Batter |
| Nitish Rana | Batter |
| David Miller | Batter/Finisher |
| Tristan Stubbs (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Axar Patel (C) | All-rounder (Captain) |
| Vipraj Nigam | Bowling All-rounder |
| Auqib Nabi | Pace Bowler |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Left-arm Wrist Spin |
| Mitchell Starc | Left-arm Pace Bowler |
Leadership and Bowling Attack
Axar Patel leads the Delhi Capitals as captain in IPL 2026. The all-rounder brings balance with both bat and ball regularly. Captaincy experience might push his personal game higher too.
Mitchell Starc and Kuldeep Yadav form the bowling attack’s backbone. Starc’s express pace and Kuldeep’s spin create perfect variety. Delhi Capitals’ strongest playing 11 looks complete on paper finally.
Impact substitutes like Ashutosh Sharma or T Natarajan provide tactical flexibility. These game-changing options could win tight matches during the season!
