After a stop-start 2025 campaign that promised a lot but only produced a fifth-place finish, Delhi Capitals are now gearing up for the November 15 deadline to finalize their list of retained items ahead of the 2026 IPL auction.
Despite boasting one of the strongest squads on paper after the mega auction, featuring KL Rahul, Mitchell Starc, T. Natarajan, Faf du Plessis and Axar Patel, DC have fallen apart in the second half of the season. They won their opening four games, but lost six of the remaining ten, with one game being dropped, and ultimately missed the playoffs. With the middle order failing and the death bowling exposed, the franchise is under pressure to address key gaps ahead of the new season.
Delhi Capitals are expected to retain Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav and Tristan Stubbs, who have been among their most consistent performers in 2025. Accuracy and lower-order contributions remain invaluable, while Kuldeep has continued to provide crucial breakthroughs. Stubbs offered stability and power and Rahul, enjoying one of his best IPL seasons, proved to be the backbone of the top order.
The biggest point of discussion in the trade window concerns KL Rahul. Reports suggest that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have shown keen interest in the Delhi batter and have even explored a swap involving Andre Russell. However, Delhi are understood to be strongly against releasing Rahul after his brilliant 2025 season, where he scored 539 runs in 13 innings at an average of 53.90 and a strike rate of 149.72. He is seen within the franchise as central to their top-flight plans and the core of the 2026 leadership.
If DC decides to part ways with T. Natarajan, Harry Brook and Afghan batsman Sediqullah Atal, they could free up almost 17 crores in the auction.
OPENING NEEDS TO SORT
Delhi’s most glaring problem last season was its shaky opening partnership. Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk struggled throughout the tournament and failed to provide any meaningful starts. Their inability to dominate the power play left DC on the back foot too often and denied the middle order a strong platform.
Fraser-McGurk endured a disappointing season, scoring just 55 runs in six innings at an average of 9.17. His struggles against spin and inability to anchor the innings were significant concerns. Du Plessis, who captained the team in the absence of Axar Patel for the last two matches, managed 202 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 123.92, which fell short of expectations.
According to ESPNcricinfo, both Du Plessis and Fraser-McGurk are likely to be released. The franchise is expected to reassess its opening options and explore a combination that can complement KL Rahul or Abhishek Porel and bring more authority at the top.
Harry Brook is also set to be released after receiving a two-year IPL ban for withdrawing from the 2025 season at the last minute, in breach of BCCI rules on player participation.
FAST BOWLING REMAINS THE BIG MATTER
In the fast bowling department, Delhi relied heavily on Mitchell Starc with limited support from the rest of the attack. Mukesh Kumar, Dushmantha Chameera and Mohit Sharma struggled to impress across the phases and the absence of a reliable Indian pacemaker to partner Starc proved costly. Mukesh, who was retained for 8 crores last season, performed underwhelmingly and his bowling lacked penetration both at the beginning and end of the innings.
T. Natarajan’s situation adds further uncertainty. Bought for Rs 10.75 crore, he played only one match due to a shoulder injury and conceded 49 runs without taking a wicket. With his fitness concerns recurring and his pace dropping, Delhi are reassessing whether the investment is still justified. Releasing him could allow the franchise to try to re-sign him at a more appropriate price.
Among the likely departures, Natarajan’s name stands out as Delhi look to overhaul their pace attack. The franchise is expected to focus on a reliable Indian quick who can be effective at the death, an area where they have consistently fallen short in 2025.
DC HOLD AND RELEASE POSSIBLE
DC retention: Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Mitchell Starc, Karun Nair, Tristan Stubbs, Abhishek Porel, Ashutosh Sharma, Darshan Nalkande, Madhav Tiwari, Sameer Rizwi, Vipraj Nigam
DC release: T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar, Faf du Plessis, Sediqullah Atal, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Harry Brook, Mohit Sharma, Donovan Ferreira, Tripurana Vijay, Manvanth Kumar, Ajay Mandal
DC POSSIBLE TARGETS FOR IPL 2026
MATT HENRY: Delhi Capitals may target New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry to bolster their pace attack. DC struggled to find a reliable overseas pacer last season and relied heavily on Mitchell Starc with limited support from the rest of the attack. Mukesh Kumar, Dushmantha Chameera and Mohit Sharma failed to make a consistent impact across phases, leaving the pace unit unbalanced.
Consistently going above 140km/h and generating steep bounces, Henry offers the kind of control and penetration that DC has lacked. His disciplined approach to line and length makes him a real new-ball threat, while his ability to handle tight spells of the power bowler is reflected in his T20 power bowl economy of 7.59 and a dismissal rate of 58.65 per cent. With Trent Boult no longer in the set-up and Jofra Archer’s fitness uncertain, Henry’s skill becomes even more appealing. If Delhi can free up the necessary purse and squad space, he could bring in the experience and cutting edge that their fast-bowling unit lacks.
BEN DUCKETT: Delhi Capitals (DC) have had a forgettable 2025 season, their campaign repeatedly undermined by shaky starts. Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk struggled to find rhythm or set the pace in the power play. Englishman Ben Duckett seems like a natural solution. His T20 record, which includes a career strike rate of 140.90 and a T20I strike rate of close to 153, shows that he is adept at maximizing fielding restrictions and putting bowlers under immediate pressure.
Duckett’s aggressive approach and his ability to take both pace and spin make him a strong contender for DC’s top order. His adaptability across formats and comfort in subcontinental conditions further strengthen his case.
At 30, Duckett is entering his prime. With experience in high-pressure situations, an intent-based batting style and solid technique, DC offers a timely and valuable option as they look to renew their top-flight strategy for the 2026 season.
RASIKH DAR SALAAM: Rasikh Salam was another name that attracted attention as RCB secured him for Rs 6 crore after he entered the auction at a base price of Rs 30 crore. However, the Jammu and Kashmir all-rounder has featured in just two matches and managed just one wicket, making him a likely candidate for release. Letting him go would push their purse by around INR 15 crore and open the door for big-ticket signings.
Salam, meanwhile, renewed his certification with the Delhi Capitals last season. He re-emerged as a defensive option at the death, taking nine wickets in eight outings while keeping the batsmen in check during an unusually high-scoring year. His resurgence continued at the Emerging Asia Cup, where he finished with nine goals in four matches, the second-highest tally in the tournament.
A move back to Delhi could serve both parties well. Salam needs a stable role and DC are looking for a reliable death specialist.
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
November 14, 2025
