{"id":22469,"date":"2025-12-16T08:20:04","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T02:50:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/sports\/?p=671403"},"modified":"2025-12-15T16:25:23","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T10:55:23","slug":"ipl-2026-auction-what-delhi-capitals-need-and-who-they-could-target","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/sports\/cricket\/ipl\/ipl-2026-auction-what-delhi-capitals-need-and-who-they-could-target\/","title":{"rendered":"IPL 2026 Auction: What Delhi Capitals need and who they could target"},"content":{"rendered":"

Delhi Capitals<\/a> enter the IPL<\/a> 2026 mini-auction<\/strong> with a purse of Rs 21.80 crore<\/strong>, eight slots to fill<\/strong>, and the flexibility of five overseas vacancies<\/strong>. With a largely settled core already in place, DC\u2019s focus will be on fine-tuning combinations rather than rebuilding.<\/p>\n

DC squad overview<\/h3>\n

Probable playing XII:<\/strong>
\nKL Rahul<\/a>, Abishek Porel (wk), Nitish Rana, Karun Nair<\/a> \/ Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel<\/a> (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma<\/a>, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc<\/a>, Kuldeep Yadav<\/a>, Mukesh Kumar<\/a>, T Natarajan<\/p>\n

Other squad members:<\/strong>
\nAjay Mandal, Madhav Tiwari, Tripurna Vijay, Dushmantha Chameera<\/a><\/p>\n

What Delhi Capitals need at the auction<\/h3>\n

From the 17 players retained<\/strong>, DC already have a near-ready playing XI with scope for tactical adjustments. One of the biggest questions heading into the auction is the opening combination<\/strong>. Delhi used seven different opening pairs in IPL 2025<\/strong>, the most by any team, highlighting a lack of stability at the top of the order.<\/p>\n

With five overseas slots available<\/strong>, DC are well placed to invest in an experienced overseas opener<\/strong> to partner KL Rahul<\/strong> and bring continuity to the powerplay. This move would also allow Abishek Porel to slide into a more flexible role rather than being locked into opening duties.<\/p>\n

Bowling remains another area of concern. While Mitchell Starc<\/strong> continues to be the spearhead, death bowling has historically been a weak spot<\/strong> for the Capitals. Added to that are T Natarajan\u2019s fitness concerns<\/strong>, which could push DC to target an overseas fast bowler<\/strong> who can share death-over responsibilities and reduce the workload on Starc.<\/p>\n

Delhi often operated with just three overseas players in their XII during IPL 2025<\/strong>, leaving them room to add quality without disrupting balance. Once the opening and fast-bowling needs are addressed, DC could also consider using an overseas slot for a backup middle-order batter<\/strong>, primarily as cover for Tristan Stubbs<\/strong>, given the lack of like-for-like replacements in the current squad.<\/p>\n

Potential targets for Delhi Capitals<\/h3>\n

Given their overseas flexibility, DC are expected to be active in the international market, especially for proven performers:<\/p>\n