The Delhi Capitals have set the cricketing world abuzz with their latest squad moves ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction, scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi. After a roller-coaster 2025 campaign that saw them narrowly miss the playoffs, the franchise has now revealed its official list of retained and released players, signaling both continuity and calculated change in their pursuit of IPL glory.
Let’s rewind a bit. The 2025 IPL season had Delhi Capitals’ fans on the edge of their seats. The team, co-owned by the JSW and GMR groups, stormed out of the gates with four consecutive wins. Hopes soared, and some even whispered about a potential title run. But cricket, as always, had other ideas. The Capitals managed only three victories in their last ten matches, ultimately finishing fifth—just a single point behind the Mumbai Indians, who snatched the final playoff berth. "We had a promising campaign last season, the team showed great quality and spirit, even though we narrowly missed out on the playoffs," said Kiran Kumar Grandhi, Chairman and Co-Owner of the Delhi Capitals.
As the dust settled, speculation swirled around the makeup of the squad for 2026. Would the Capitals overhaul their roster, or double down on their core? Rumors were rampant—especially about star batter KL Rahul, who was linked with a move to the Kolkata Knight Riders. But the franchise has put those whispers to bed. According to official sources, Delhi Capitals are standing by their man, with Rahul set to be a pillar of their batting lineup once again.
In a market where trades can reshape fortunes overnight, Delhi Capitals also made headlines by acquiring Nitish Rana from the Rajasthan Royals in a trade that saw Donovan Ferreira head the other way. Rana, valued at Rs 4.2 crore, brings experience and versatility to the middle order. The deal closed the door on earlier speculation about a swap involving Tristan Stubbs and Sanju Samson, especially after Samson’s move to the Chennai Super Kings in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.
So, who’s staying and who’s going? The Capitals have retained a robust core of 17 players, including several key performers from last season. The list features Axar Patel—who captained the side in 2025—KL Rahul, marquee spinner Kuldeep Yadav, South African pace ace Mitchell Starc, and the dynamic Tristan Stubbs. Other retained names include Karun Nair, Abishek Porel, Sameer Rizvi, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Ajay Mandal, Tripurana Vijay, Madhav Tiwari, Mukesh Kumar, Dushmantha Chameera, T Natarajan, and of course, new recruit Nitish Rana.
Chairman Grandhi explained the club’s rationale: "The auction gives us an opportunity to strengthen the areas where we fell short and build a more balanced squad around the players we have retained. Our coaching team and scouting network have worked extensively to identify the right talent to add to the group." Co-owner Parth Jindal echoed the sentiment, stating, "We are pleased with the players we’ve retained – we saw how well they performed together especially in the first half of last season. Our coaches and scouts have been working tirelessly to identify those players who can complement our core group."
Head Coach Hemang Badani also weighed in on the strategy, noting, "Last season had its highs and lows, we played some really good cricket but fell just short of a playoff spot. We know the areas that need strengthening, and the auction will allow us to make those fine adjustments around the group we have retained. The goal is to build consistency and ensure we’re competing at our best throughout the season."
Of course, with retention comes release. The Capitals have parted ways with several notable names ahead of the 2026 auction. Out go Mohit Sharma, Faf du Plessis, Sediqullah Atal, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Manvanth Kumar, Darshan Nalkande, and Donovan Ferreira (as part of the trade). The decision to release Fraser-McGurk, in particular, underscores the franchise’s intent to find a more consistent opener to partner KL Rahul at the top of the order. Reports suggest the team experimented with various combinations last season, including stints for Abishek Porel and Faf du Plessis, but stability remained elusive.
Another area under scrutiny is the bowling department. While spearheaded by Mitchell Starc and Kuldeep Yadav, the Capitals are actively seeking a replacement for T. Natarajan, who has struggled with injuries over the past few campaigns. The franchise’s purse stands at a healthy Rs 21.8 crore, with eight slots left to fill—five of which can be overseas players. This gives Delhi the flexibility to target both established stars and emerging talent in the upcoming auction.
It’s worth noting that the 2026 IPL auction is not a mega auction, so teams are permitted to retain as many players as they wish, provided their final squad comprises 25 players. This flexibility has allowed the Capitals to maintain a strong backbone while keeping their options open for strategic reinforcements.
Delhi’s all-rounder core remains a point of strength. Alongside Axar Patel, the squad includes options like Aayush Badoni, Vicky Ostwal, Mahipal Lomror, Tripurana Vijay, Ajay Mandal, and Manav Suthar. This depth gives the coaching staff plenty of tactical leeway, whether it’s shoring up the lower order or providing spin support in the middle overs.
Batting depth is further reinforced with the likes of Tristan Stubbs, Sameer Rizvi, Karun Nair, and Nitish Rana. Meanwhile, the bowling arsenal—anchored by Kuldeep Yadav and Mitchell Starc—features Mukesh Kumar, Dushmantha Chameera, and T Natarajan. The blend of youth and experience is evident, and with several slots open, Delhi Capitals are poised to make a splash at the auction.
Let’s not forget the broader context. Since their rebranding from Delhi Daredevils in 2019, the Capitals have steadily built a reputation for smart recruitment and bold cricket. Their women’s team, too, has made waves, reaching the final in all three editions of the Women’s Premier League so far, albeit finishing as runners-up each time. The franchise’s commitment to nurturing talent and competing at the highest level is clear.
With the auction looming, all eyes are on Delhi Capitals’ next moves. Will they finally find the right balance to convert early-season promise into a sustained title challenge? The retention list suggests a team determined to learn from the past and push forward. As the countdown to Abu Dhabi begins, fans and rivals alike are watching closely—because in the IPL, fortunes can change in a heartbeat.
For now, the Capitals have put their faith in a proven core, a shrewd trade, and a war chest ready for action. The real drama, as always, will unfold under the lights when the first ball is bowled in 2026.
