Back Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026

Delhi Capitals Squad 2026: Full Player List, Captain & Team Profile

Delhi Capitals enter IPL 2026 with a refreshed squad and a clear sense of direction under the captaincy of Axar Patel. The team has assembled a well-rounded mix of experienced internationals and talented Indian players, making this one of the more balanced Delhi Capitals rosters in recent memory. With KL Rahul anchoring the batting lineup and Mitchell Starc leading a formidable pace attack, the Capitals have addressed key areas that held them back in previous seasons.

Coach Hemang Badani brings a sharp cricketing mind to the setup, and his ability to work with young players alongside seasoned campaigners gives Delhi Capitals a structured environment to build on. The squad features power hitters like David Miller and Ben Duckett alongside spin options such as Kuldeep Yadav, creating genuine depth across all departments.

For the latest updates and real-time action from every match this season, follow IPL 2026 Live Score throughout the tournament.

Delhi Capitals 2026 Upcoming Matches

Delhi Capitals have a challenging schedule ahead, with fixtures spread across multiple venues. Their opening match comes against Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow, followed by a high-profile home clash with Mumbai Indians. Every match will be crucial as the Capitals push for a playoff berth. Stay tuned to the live score cricket IPL page for ball-by-ball updates.

Quick Facts: Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026

For a complete look at the roster, visit Delhi Capitals Players.

Squad Breakdown

Delhi Capitals have put together a squad that covers every base with intent. The batting order has reliable run-scorers and explosive finishers, the wicket-keeping department offers flexibility at the top, and the bowling unit is arguably one of the most potent in the tournament. The balance between Indian talent and overseas match-winners gives the team options in all conditions.

Batters

• Karun Nair — A technically sound middle-order batter who brings patience and big-match experience to the Delhi Capitals lineup.
• Nitish Rana — An aggressive left-handed batter capable of accelerating the scoring rate from the top or middle order.
• Sameer Rizvi — A promising young talent with clean ball-striking ability, expected to make an impact in his IPL appearances.
• Prithvi Shaw — An explosive opener with natural flair; when in form, he can set up an innings in the powerplay overs.
• David Miller — One of the most destructive finishers in world cricket, Miller brings enormous value in the death overs.
• Ben Duckett — A hard-hitting left-handed bat from England who plays fearless cricket and adapts quickly to T20 conditions.
• Pathum Nissanka — A consistent Sri Lankan opener with a solid technique and the ability to anchor an innings under pressure.
• Ashutosh Sharma — A hard-hitting domestic batter who has shown the ability to score big in the lower middle order.
• Tripurana Vijay — A domestic circuit performer who adds depth to the batting resources available to the coaching staff.

Wicket-keepers (WK-Batter)

• KL Rahul — A premier wicket-keeper batter in Indian cricket, Rahul brings class, composure, and match-winning potential at the top.
• Tristan Stubbs — A powerful South African keeper-batter who can dismantle attacks in the final overs with devastating effect.
• Abishek Porel — A young Indian wicket-keeper batter with excellent instincts behind the stumps and growing confidence with the bat.

All-Rounders

• Axar Patel — The captain and heartbeat of Delhi Capitals, Axar is a left-arm spin bowling all-rounder who leads by example on both fronts.
• Ajay Jadav Mandal — A promising domestic all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball in the middle phases.
• Madhav Tiwari — A young talent offering utility with bat and ball, adding squad depth for varying match conditions.
• Auqib Nabi Dar — An emerging all-rounder who brings competitive skill and hunger for opportunity at the highest level.

Bowlers

• Kuldeep Yadav — One of the most dangerous wrist spinners in T20 cricket, Kuldeep can turn a match with a single over of magic.
• Mukesh Kumar — A seam bowler with controlled line and length who excels in the powerplay and middle overs.
• T Natarajan — Known for his pinpoint yorkers and left-arm pace, Natarajan is a dependable weapon at the death.
• Vipraj Nigam — A young spin bowling option who can be used as a surprise element in the middle overs.
• Mitchell Starc — The Australian left-arm express brings genuine pace and the ability to swing the new ball in either direction.
• Lungi Ngidi — A tall, skiddy South African quick who generates bounce and is effective in pressure situations.
• Kyle Jamieson — A tall New Zealand fast bowler who uses extra bounce intelligently and chips in with useful lower-order runs.
• Dushmantha Chameera — A fiery Sri Lankan quick with a lethal short-ball game and the ability to unsettle top-order batters.
• Sahil Parakh — A domestic pace option who provides backup cover and adds competition for places in the bowling attack.

Home Stadium — The Fortress

Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi is one of the most storied grounds in Indian cricket. Positioned in the heart of the capital, it offers a compact playing surface with a pitch that traditionally assists pace bowlers early before settling into a batting-friendly surface in the second innings. The dimensions and the Delhi heat in the early stages of IPL 2026 will make swing and seam movement particularly relevant in the first ten overs, which plays directly into the hands of Mitchell Starc and the Delhi Capitals pace unit.

The atmosphere at Arun Jaitley Stadium is electric when Delhi Capitals are playing at home. The stands fill up quickly, and the roar from local fans creates a cauldron-like environment that puts pressure on visiting teams. The crowd tends to get behind the team from the first ball, and the home advantage has historically given Delhi a significant edge in close encounters. For any visiting side, winning here is a genuine challenge.

Season Outlook

Delhi Capitals head into IPL 2026 as a genuine dark horse for the title. The combination of Axar Patel’s leadership, the experience of KL Rahul with the gloves and bat, and the raw pace of Mitchell Starc gives the team a profile that can match any side on their day. If the batting fires consistently and Kuldeep Yadav is among wickets in the middle overs, Delhi have every ingredient to make the playoffs and push beyond.

The concern, as with previous seasons, lies in the need for top-order consistency. Prithvi Shaw and Ben Duckett will need to fire early, and the middle order must convert starts into match-winning scores. If Hemang Badani can build a settled batting combination early in the tournament, Delhi Capitals have the bowling firepower to defend and chase totals against any opposition in IPL 2026.