The Delhi Capitals (DC) are gearing up for a crucial rebuild ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. After a promising start that fizzled out, leaving them just outside the playoff spots in IPL 2025, the franchise heads into the upcoming auction in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with a clear agenda and a significant war chest.
DC's Auction Strategy and Released Players
The Capitals enter the bidding fray with a hefty purse of Rs 21.80 crore and have 8 slots to fill, of which a substantial 5 are available for overseas talent. This financial flexibility comes after some bold decisions during the retention window. The most notable departure is that of vice-captain Faf du Plessis, who will not feature in IPL 2026 as he opts to participate in the Pakistan Super League instead. The franchise has also released explosive but out-of-form big hitter Jake Fraser-McGurk.
These moves have created specific gaps in the lineup that the team management is keen to address. Their primary focus is to find a reliable Indian opener to partner with KL Rahul at the top of the order. Furthermore, DC is in the market for a versatile overseas all-rounder who can double as a capable finisher in the death overs.
Strengths, Weaknesses, and Potential Targets
While the batting order seeks reinforcement, the bowling department presents a mixed picture. The pace attack, led by the formidable Mitchell Starc and the skillful T Natarajan, looks potent but requires depth. The team has identified the need to buy an Indian pacer to bolster their seam options.
In contrast, the spin bowling unit appears to be DC's strongest suit, with world-class operators Kuldeep Yadav and skipper Axar Patel expected to lead the way. Another area of potential reinforcement is the wicketkeeper-batter role. DC is reportedly interested in Jonny Bairstow, but they anticipate stiff competition from rivals like the Kolkata Knight Riders. Backup options on their radar include Tim Seifert and Jamie Smith.
Delhi Capitals: Retained Squad and Full Roster
Ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, Delhi Capitals have retained a core group of players. The list of retained stars includes the likes of Tristan Stubbs, Sameer Rizvi, Karun Nair, KL Rahul, and the traded Nitish Rana. The bowling will be spearheaded by the retained trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Mitchell Starc, and T Natarajan, supported by Mukesh Kumar and Dushmantha Chameera.
Players Retained by Delhi Capitals for IPL 2026:
- Tristan Stubbs
- Sameer Rizvi
- Karun Nair
- KL Rahul
- Nitish Rana (trade)
- Abhishek Porel
- Axar Patel (Captain)
- Ashutosh Sharma
- Vipraj Nigam
- Madhav Tiwari
- Ajay Mandal
- Tripurana Vijay
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mitchell Starc
- Mukesh Kumar
- Dushmantha Chameera
- T Natarajan
The full squad for IPL 2026 will be updated shortly once the auction in Abu Dhabi concludes, with the franchise aiming to plug the remaining holes and build a balanced team capable of going all the way.
