Delhi Capitals, formerly known as Delhi Daredevils, are ready for the IPL 2026 set to start from 28th March. The two-time IPL semi-finalists and four-time IPL Playoffs qualifiers played their only IPL Final in the 2020 edition, where they finished as the runners-up after losing the Final against Mumbai Indians. While DC failed to reach the playoffs for the last four seasons, last season, they just missed it closely.
In the retention period, Delhi Capitals retained 16 players, while they also secured one traded-in player. In the IPL 2026 mini-auction, Delhi Capitals started with an INR 21.80 crore purse.
Full Delhi Capitals (DC) Squad 2026
Delhi Capitals Retained Players for IPL 2026 with Price
Axar Patel (INR 16.50 crore) – All-rounder (Captain)
KL Rahul (INR 14 crore) – Wicketkeeper
Kuldeep Yadav (INR 13.25 crore) – Bowler
Mitchell Starc (INR 11.75 crore) – Bowler: Australia
T Natarajan (INR 10.75 crore) – Pacer
Tristan Stubbs (INR 10 crore) – Wicketkeeper: South Africa
Mukesh Kumar (INR 8 crore) – Pacer
Abishek Porel (INR 4 crore) – Wicketkeeper
Ashutosh Sharma (INR 3.80 crore) – Batter
Sameer Rizvi (INR 95 lakhs) – Batter
Karun Nair (INR 50 lakhs) – Batter
Vipraj Nigam (INR 50 lakhs) – All-rounder
Dushmantha Chameera (INR 75 lakhs) – Pacer: Sri Lanka
Madhav Tiwari (INR 40 lakhs) – All-rounder
Ajay Mandal (INR 30 lakhs) – All-rounder
Tripurana Vijay (INR 30 lakhs) – All-rounder
Delhi Capitals Traded In ahead of IPL 2026 auction with Price
Nitish Rana (INR 4.2 crore) from Rajasthan Royals – Batter
In the IPL 2026 mini-auction, Delhi Capitals secured the remaining eight cricketers, including five foreigners.
Delhi Capitals New Buys at IPL 2026 Auction with Price
Auqib Nabi (INR 8.40 crore) – All-rounder
Pathum Nissanka (INR 4 crore) – Batter: Sri Lanka
David Miller (INR 2 crore) – Batter: South Africa
Ben Duckett (INR 2 crore) – Batter: England
Lungi Ngidi (INR 2 crore) – Pacer: South Africa
Kyle Jamieson (INR 2 crore) – Pacer: New Zealand
Prithvi Shaw (INR 75 lakh) – Batter
Sahil Parakh (INR 30 Lakh) – Batter
Delhi Capitals Probable Playing XI (IPL 2026)
1. KL Rahul (WK)
Primary opener + wicketkeeper
Anchor role with ability to accelerate
2. Pathum Nissanka
Technically solid opener
Provides stability alongside Rahul
3. Nitish Rana
Left-handed aggressor
Ideal No.3 to break matchups
4. Tristan Stubbs
Explosive middle-order hitter
Can also keep if Rahul plays as pure batter
5. Axar Patel (C)
Captain + spin all-rounder
Floater depending on match situation
6. David Miller
Proven finisher
Handles death overs pressure
7. Ashutosh Sharma
Domestic power-hitter
Impact player option as well
8. Mitchell Starc
Strike bowler with new ball
Death overs specialist
9. Kuldeep Yadav
Lead spinner
Wicket-taker in middle overs
10. T Natarajan
Yorker specialist
Key death bowler
11. Mukesh Kumar
Reliable Indian pacer
Powerplay + middle overs control
Delhi Capitals head into IPL 2026 with a well-balanced squad that blends experience, firepower, and tactical depth. With Axar Patel’s leadership, a solid top order led by KL Rahul, and match-winners like Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Mitchell Starc, and Kuldeep Yadav, DC have all the ingredients of a playoff-caliber side. Their biggest strength lies in their bowling attack and finishing ability, while consistency in the top order will be key to their success. If they manage to execute their plans and adapt to conditions effectively, Delhi Capitals could not only return to the playoffs but also emerge as serious title contenders this season.
