IPL 2026
Delhi Capitals | DC 2026 Squad, Players, Stats, and Season History
Feb. 12, 2026
Delhi Capitals represent India’s capital city, New Delhi, in the Indian Premier League. The franchise began in 2008 as the Delhi Daredevils before rebranding in 2019 to reflect a stronger connection with the city’s identity and ambition. Known for their blue and red colours and tiger crest, the team has focused on building a competitive and modern image both on and off the field.
The franchise is jointly owned by GMR Group and JSW Sports, with operational responsibilities shared between the two organisations. Home matches are played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, a venue famous for high pressure crowds and surfaces that often assist spin bowling. Over the years, Delhi has produced several strong seasons, including reaching the IPL Final in 2020 and finishing top of the table in 2021. Despite multiple playoff appearances, the men’s side is still chasing its first title.
Heading into IPL 2026, Delhi Capitals enter a new phase. Axar Patel leads the squad after a leadership shift, supported by head coach Hemang Badani and assistant coach Ian Bell. The team is built around a core that includes KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mitchell Starc, with the aim of converting consistent performances into a championship run after narrowly missing qualification in 2025.
DC At a Glance (IPL 2026)
- Captain: Axar Patel
- Head Coach: Hemang Badani
- Key Additions: Auqib Nabi Dar, Pathum Nissanka, David Miller, Ben Duckett, Lungi Ngidi, Kyle Jamieson, Prithvi Shaw, Nitish Rana
- Biggest Exit: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Donovan Ferreira
- Auction Strategy: Fine tuning an already stable core by adding batting depth and pace backups
- Squad Strength: Elite spin trio with Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Vipraj Nigam and strong batting depth backed by Starc led pace options
- Squad Concern: Too many left hand batters in key roles and fitness risk around main overseas fast bowlers
DC IPL 2026 Squad
Batters & Wicketkeeper (DC 2026)
The batting group combines experienced anchors with aggressive stroke makers and multiple wicketkeeping options. The mix of left and right hand players gives flexibility at the top and middle order while allowing role rotation across conditions.
| Player |
Role |
Batting Style |
| Abishek Porel |
WK Batter |
Left hand |
| Ben Duckett |
Top order |
Left hand |
| David Miller |
Middle order |
Left hand |
| Karun Nair |
Top order |
Right hand |
| Pathum Nissanka |
Top order |
Right hand |
| Sahil Parakh |
Top order |
Left hand |
| KL Rahul |
WK Batter |
Right hand |
| Nitish Rana |
Middle order |
Left hand |
| Sameer Rizvi |
Batter |
Right hand |
| Prithvi Shaw |
Opening Batter |
Right hand |
| Tristan Stubbs |
Batter |
Right hand |
All-rounders (DC 2026)
The all round unit provides balance through spin control, lower order hitting, and seam utility. It allows DC to adjust team combinations depending on pitch and opposition matchups.
| Player |
Role |
Batting |
Bowling |
| Axar Patel (c) |
Allrounder |
Left hand |
Left arm orthodox |
| Ajay Mandal |
Allrounder |
Left hand |
Left arm orthodox |
| Ashutosh Sharma |
Batting Allrounder |
Right hand |
— |
| Madhav Tiwari |
Allrounder |
Right hand |
Right arm medium fast |
| Auqib Nabi |
Allrounder |
Right hand |
Right arm medium |
Bowlers (DC 2026)
The bowling unit is built around elite spin control supported by varied pace options. Left arm pace, express speed, and wrist spin diversity provide coverage across all match phases.
| Player |
Bowling Style |
| Dushmantha Chameera |
Right arm fast |
| Kyle Jamieson |
Right arm fast medium |
| Kuldeep Yadav |
Left arm wrist spin |
| Mukesh Kumar |
Right arm medium |
| T Natarajan |
Left arm medium |
| Lungi Ngidi |
Right arm fast medium |
| Vipraj Nigam |
Legbreak |
| Mitchell Starc |
Left arm fast |
| Tripurana Vijay |
Right arm offbreak |
IPL 2026 Trade / Transfer Summary (DC)
- Players Traded In:
Nitish Rana (from Rajasthan Royals)
- Players Traded Out:
Donovan Ferreira (to Rajasthan Royals)
- Released Players:
Faf du Plessis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mohit Sharma, Sediqullah Atal, Manvanth Kumar, Darshan Nalkande, Harry Brook
Strategic intent was to strengthen domestic batting depth while freeing overseas slots and purse for targeted auction additions.
DC IPL 2026 Team Analysis
Batters & Wicketkeepers Analysis (DC 2026)
| Player |
Tournament |
Mat |
Runs |
Ave |
SR |
100s |
50s |
| Abishek Porel |
IPL |
31 |
661 |
25.42 |
149.88 |
0 |
3 |
| Ben Duckett |
Vitality Blast |
122 |
3000 |
32.25 |
140.25 |
0 |
19 |
| David Miller |
IPL |
141 |
3077 |
35.77 |
138.60 |
1 |
13 |
| Karun Nair |
IPL |
84 |
1694 |
23.85 |
131.72 |
0 |
11 |
| Pathum Nissanka |
ILT20 |
6 |
243 |
40.50 |
186.92 |
0 |
3 |
| Sahil Parakh |
T20 |
2 |
24 |
12.00 |
114.28 |
0 |
0 |
| KL Rahul |
IPL |
145 |
5222 |
46.21 |
136.02 |
5 |
40 |
| Nitish Rana |
IPL |
118 |
2853 |
27.97 |
136.76 |
0 |
20 |
| Sameer Rizvi |
IPL |
13 |
172 |
24.57 |
140.98 |
0 |
1 |
| Prithvi Shaw |
IPL |
79 |
1892 |
23.94 |
147.46 |
0 |
14 |
| Tristan Stubbs |
IPL |
32 |
705 |
41.47 |
163.19 |
0 |
3 |
- KL Rahul anchors the batting unit
One of the league’s most reliable run scorers with 5222 IPL runs at 46.21 average, he provides stability at the top and controls tempo during collapses.
- Tristan Stubbs drives middle over acceleration
Strong IPL impact with 705 runs at 163.19 strike rate, making him the key momentum builder and secondary finisher.
- David Miller strengthens the finishing phase
Veteran closer with 3077 IPL runs and proven death over composure, adding experience to late innings execution.
- Nitish Rana adds flexible middle order stability
Contributed 2853 IPL runs across roles and brings matchup adaptability along with familiarity with Indian conditions.
- Abishek Porel offers aggressive left hand balance
Produced 661 IPL runs at 149.88 strike rate, giving DC a dynamic option to disrupt bowling plans.
- Prithvi Shaw remains the powerplay attacking option
Has 1892 IPL runs at 147.46 strike rate, capable of setting early momentum when in rhythm.
- Pathum Nissanka provides top order depth
Recent franchise form including 243 runs at 186 strike rate in ILT20 makes him a reliable alternative opening option.
- Sameer Rizvi develops lower order hitting depth
Early IPL impact with 172 runs at 140 strike rate, showing promise as a spin attacking finisher.
- Ben Duckett improves rotational scoring options
Consistent global T20 output including 3000 Vitality Blast runs, giving DC versatility against spin phases.
- Karun Nair supplies experienced backup stability
Career 1694 IPL runs ensure coverage when structural adjustments are needed.
All-rounders Analysis (DC 2026)
Batting Contribution Table
| Player |
Tournament |
Mat |
Inns |
Runs |
HS |
Ave |
SR |
| Axar Patel |
IPL |
162 |
124 |
1916 |
66 |
22.02 |
133.98 |
| Ashutosh Sharma |
IPL |
24 |
18 |
393 |
66* |
28.07 |
163.75 |
| Ajay Mandal |
T20s |
52 |
42 |
490 |
49 |
16.33 |
131.72 |
| Madhav Tiwari |
IPL |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
3.00 |
75.00 |
| Auqib Nabi |
T20s |
34 |
17 |
141 |
32 |
10.84 |
106.81 |
Bowling Contribution Table
| Player |
Tournament |
Mat |
Inns |
Wkts |
Best |
Econ |
| Axar Patel |
IPL |
162 |
159 |
128 |
4/21 |
7.34 |
| Ajay Mandal |
T20s |
52 |
50 |
52 |
5/10 |
7.32 |
| Auqib Nabi |
T20s |
34 |
34 |
43 |
4/16 |
7.74 |
(Ashutosh Sharma and Madhav Tiwari have no meaningful IPL bowling data yet)
- Axar Patel anchors both balance and leadership
Delivered 1916 IPL runs and 128 wickets, giving DC a reliable four-over option and middle-order stability.
- Ashutosh Sharma strengthens finishing depth
Scored 393 IPL runs at 163 strike rate, offering aggressive late-over hitting from an Indian slot.
- Ajay Mandal provides spin depth and rotation cover
His 52 T20 wickets make him a useful secondary left-arm option when conditions favour spin.
- Madhav Tiwari remains long-term depth
Limited IPL exposure so far and expected to serve mainly as developmental squad support.
Bowlers Analysis (DC 2026)
| Player |
Tournament |
Mat |
Inns |
Wkts |
Best |
Ave |
Econ |
| Dushmantha Chameera |
IPL |
19 |
18 |
13 |
2/17 |
46.38 |
9.72 |
| Kyle Jamieson |
IPL |
13 |
13 |
14 |
3/41 |
29.71 |
9.67 |
| Kuldeep Yadav |
IPL |
98 |
95 |
102 |
4/14 |
26.95 |
8.03 |
| Mukesh Kumar |
IPL |
32 |
32 |
36 |
4/33 |
30.61 |
10.39 |
| T Natarajan |
IPL |
63 |
62 |
67 |
4/19 |
30.11 |
8.93 |
| Lungi Ngidi |
IPL |
16 |
16 |
29 |
4/10 |
18.24 |
8.53 |
| Vipraj Nigam |
IPL |
14 |
13 |
11 |
2/18 |
32.36 |
9.12 |
| Mitchell Starc |
IPL |
52 |
49 |
65 |
5/35 |
23.12 |
8.61 |
| Tripurana Vijay |
T20s |
10 |
10 |
14 |
4/8 |
18.92 |
6.79 |
- Mitchell Starc leads the attack with proven strike power
Took 65 IPL wickets and remains DC’s primary new ball threat and death option.
- Kuldeep Yadav anchors the spin phase
His 102 IPL wickets make him the main middle overs wicket taker on slower Delhi tracks.
- T Natarajan strengthens death overs control
Delivered 67 IPL wickets, offering yorker execution and closing overs reliability.
- Mukesh Kumar provides workload stability
Contributed 36 wickets as a domestic seam option used across phases.
- Lungi Ngidi adds high impact pace backup
Strong IPL numbers with 29 wickets give DC rotation flexibility around overseas slots.
- Kyle Jamieson and Chameera add pace depth
Provide bounce and speed variations when conditions or injuries demand rotation.
- Vipraj Nigam supports the spin mix
Developing leg spin option with 11 IPL wickets and future growth potential.
- Tripurana Vijay remains developmental depth
Limited exposure but efficient domestic T20 returns keep him as bench cover.
IPL 2026 Stats and Data for Your Website or App
All the IPL 2026 data shown on this blog can be used directly on your own platform whether it’s a website, app, or internal tool using Cricket API.
So instead of just reading these stats, you can actually build with them.
How do you use this data?
You integrate the APIs once, and then use the data however your product needs.
If you are a developer
You can use our APIs to build:
- Fantasy apps
- Live score widgets
- Dashboards and simulators
We already provide ball by ball data, player stats, team stats, points tables, and match data.
You focus on features and UI. We handle the data layer.
If you are doing marketing around IPL 2026
You can use live match data to run prediction and gamification campaigns.
For example (like our past clients):
“If Virat Kohli hits a six, you get 20% off.”
“If India wins the next match, cashback on your order.”
This kind of real time gamification has been used by brands like Zomato, Zepto, and FiMoney to drive millions of interactions during live matches.
You can display all IPL data in your own format:
- Points tables
- Player and team stats
- Head to head comparisons
- Match previews and reports
Instead of maintaining everything manually, your pages stay updated automatically using live data.
Same data as this blog.
Just delivered through APIs so you can turn it into products, campaigns, and traffic.
👉🏻You can explore the Indian Premier League 2026 data and API here
DC IPL 2026 FAQs
1. Who will captain Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026?
Axar Patel will lead DC in the 2026 season, with KL Rahul focusing on his role as a specialist batter.
2. Who is the head coach of DC?
Hemang Badani has taken over as head coach after the departure of Ricky Ponting.
3. Which former England player joined the DC coaching staff?
Ian Bell joined the setup as assistant coach in February 2026.
4. Who was DC’s most expensive auction signing?
Uncapped pacer Auqib Nabi Dar was signed for ₹8.40 crore.
5. What was DC’s key trade move before the auction?
Donovan Ferreira was traded to Rajasthan Royals, while Nitish Rana joined DC.
6. Is Mitchell Starc playing for DC in 2026?
Yes. He was retained for ₹11.75 crore and leads the pace attack.
7. Which overseas batters were signed for 2026?
Ben Duckett, Pathum Nissanka, and David Miller were added to strengthen batting depth.
8. What is the status of DC’s home ground?
Arun Jaitley Stadium is hosting global fixtures while upgrades are being planned with DDCA.
9. Did Prithvi Shaw return to DC?
Yes. He was re-signed in the auction for ₹75 lakh.
10. Who supports Axar Patel in the spin unit?
Kuldeep Yadav leads the spin attack alongside Vipraj Nigam. 
.png)
