The Delhi Capitals (DC) entered the IPL 2026 auction with a clear strategy: bolster their batting lineup and add firepower to their pace attack. With a purse of ₹21.80 crore and eight slots to fill, including five overseas positions, DC aimed for precision rather than an overhaul.
Batting Boost
DC addressed their need for reliable openers and middle-order stability by acquiring several key batsmen. South African veteran David Miller was picked up at his base price of ₹2 crore, adding experience and finishing prowess to the middle order. England's Ben Duckett was also secured for ₹2 crore, providing a left-handed option at the top or in the middle order. Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka joined the squad for ₹4 crore, further strengthening the top-order options.
In a surprising turn of events, DC re-acquired Prithvi Shaw for a bargain price of ₹75 lakh. The former DC opener went unsold twice before being picked up, providing an additional top-order option. These additions aim to rectify the instability at the top, which saw Delhi use eight different opening pairs in the previous season. With KL Rahul, Nitish Rana (traded in from RR), Tristan Stubbs, and Axar Patel already in the squad, the new acquisitions add depth and flexibility to the batting order.
Pace Reinforcements
The Delhi Capitals made a significant investment in uncapped Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Dar, spending ₹8.40 crore on him. Dar, who entered the auction with a base price of ₹30 lakh, sparked a bidding war due to his impressive domestic performances. He has been in stellar form, taking 29 wickets in five Ranji Trophy matches and 15 wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. DC also added overseas pace options in Lungi Ngidi and Kyle Jamieson, both acquired for ₹2 crore each. These additions will support Mitchell Starc and T Natarajan, forming a varied pace attack.
Overall Assessment
The Delhi Capitals appear to have had a successful auction, addressing their key needs with a mix of experienced international players and promising domestic talent. The acquisitions of Miller, Duckett, and Nissanka provide stability and firepower to the batting order, while the addition of Auqib Dar, Ngidi, and Jamieson bolsters the pace attack. By retaining a strong core of players like KL Rahul, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav, DC has ensured continuity and balance in the squad.
While the team looks well-equipped, the challenge will be to integrate the new players and find the right balance in the playing XI. If the top-order fires and the pace attack delivers, Delhi Capitals could be a strong contender for the IPL 2026 title. Overall, DC's auction strategy reflects a focus on building a well-rounded squad capable of challenging across conditions.
