England batter Ben Duckett will finally make his IPL debut after being bought by Delhi Capitals (DC) for Rs 2 crore at the ongoing IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi.
Duckett, who had never featured in the IPL before, entered the auction with a base price of Rs 2 crore and attracted interest from DC, the franchise that had previously attempted to rope him in as a replacement player.
First IPL contract after earlier rejection
Ahead of the IPL 2025 season, Delhi Capitals had approached Duckett as a replacement for Harry Brook, but the England batter declined the offer at the time to focus on his international commitments and workload management. His decision meant he continued to remain without an IPL appearance until this auction.
At the IPL 2026 mini-auction, DC successfully secured his services, marking Duckett’s first-ever IPL contract.
Strong T20 credentials outside IPL
While Duckett has no prior IPL experience, he brings extensive exposure from other T20 leagues and international cricket. Across 216 T20 matches, he has scored 5,397 runs at an average of 30.49 and a strike rate of 140.18, with a highest score of 96. He has featured in leagues such as the Big Bash League and the Pakistan Super League, where his aggressive top-order batting has stood out.
What Duckett brings to Delhi Capitals
A left-handed batter known for his versatility, Duckett can operate at the top of the order or in the middle, offering flexibility to DC’s batting lineup. His signing for Rs 2 crore adds international experience and depth as Delhi Capitals look to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.
With this move, Ben Duckett is set to play in the IPL for the first time, opening a new chapter in his T20 career under the Delhi Capitals banner.
