Delhi Capitals (DC) head into IPL 2026 knowing they were very close last season. They finished fifth in IPL 2025 with seven wins, six losses and 15 points, missing the playoffs only on net run rate.
The management decided not to panic. Instead, DC focused on filling small gaps and adding depth, especially in batting and fast bowling, during the 2026 auction.
Axar Patel continues as captain after a steady 2025 campaign. KL Rahul was the team’s top run-scorer last season and remains the key batter at the top. Kuldeep Yadav led the bowling charts and will again be central to DC’s plans.
Before the auction, DC made a clear move by trading in Nitish Rana from Rajasthan Royals. The left-hander adds experience and flexibility in the middle order and can also chip in with part-time spin.
Delhi strengthened their batting by adding Pathum Nissanka, David Miller and Ben Duckett. Nissanka gives them a solid top-order option who can anchor an innings.
Miller brings proven finishing skills and calmness under pressure, something DC missed in tight games last season. Duckett adds an aggressive left-handed choice who can play both at the top and in the middle.
With Rahul, Rana, Miller and Duckett in the mix, DC now have more options to handle different match situations and conditions.
The bowling unit also saw important additions. DC signed Auqib Nabi as an Indian pace option for depth across a long season.
They added serious overseas firepower with Kyle Jamieson, Lungi Ngidi and Dushmantha Chameera. Jamieson offers bounce and batting depth, while Ngidi brings control with the new ball.
Chameera adds raw pace and can be used as a strike option in the middle and death overs. Along with Kuldeep and Axar, the bowling group looks more balanced than last year.
DC completed their squad with 25 players, including 17 Indians and eight overseas cricketers. They were left with just ₹5 lakh in the purse, showing how tightly planned their auction strategy was.
After narrowly missing out in 2025, Delhi Capitals look better prepared and more flexible. If their senior players stay fit, IPL 2026 could finally be the season they turn close calls into playoff success.
Players Bought by DC in IPL 2026 Auction
| Sr. No. | Player Name | Country | Role | Base Price | Final Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auqib Nabi | India | All-rounder | 30 lakh | 8.4 crore |
| 2 | Pathum Nissanka | Sri Lanka | Batter | 75 lakh | 4 crore |
| 3 | David Miller | South Africa | Batter | 2 crore | 2 crore |
| 4 | Ben Duckett | England | Wicketkeeper/Batter | 2 crore | 2 crore |
| 5 | Lungi Ngidi | South Africa | Bowler | 2 crore | 2 crore |
| 6 | Kyle Jamieson | New Zealand | Bowler | 2 crore | 2 crore |
| 7 | Prithvi Shaw | India | Batter | 75 lakh | 75 lakh |
| 8 | Sahil Parakh | India | Batter | 30 lakh | 30 lakh |
Players Retained by DC ahead of IPL 2026 Auction
| Sr. No. | Player Name | Country | Role | Retention Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Axar Patel | India | All-rounder | 16.5 crore |
| 2 | KL Rahul | India | Wicketkeeper/Batter | 14 crore |
| 3 | Kuldeep Yadav | India | Bowler | 13.25 crore |
| 4 | Mitchell Starc | Australia | Bowler | 11.75 crore |
| 5 | T. Natarajan | India | Bowler | 10.75 crore |
| 6 | Tristan Stubbs | South Africa | Wicketkeeper/Batter | 10 crore |
| 7 | Mukesh Kumar | India | Bowler | 8 crore |
| 8 | Nitish Rana | India | Batter | 4.2 crore |
| 9 | Abishek Porel | India | Wicketkeeper/Batter | 4 crore |
| 10 | Ashutosh Sharma | India | All-rounder | 3.8 crore |
| 11 | Sameer Rizvi | India | Batter | 95 lakh |
| 12 | Dushmantha Chameera | Sri Lanka | Bowler | 75 lakh |
| 13 | Karun Nair | India | Batter | 50 lakh |
| 14 | Vipraj Nigam | India | Bowler | 50 lakh |
| 15 | Madhav Tiwari | India | All-rounder | 40 lakh |
| 16 | Ajay Mandal | India | All-rounder | 30 lakh |
| 17 | Tripurana Vijay | India | Bowler | 30 lakh |
