Delhi Capitals enter IPL 2026 under the captaincy of Axar Patel, looking to go one step further after years of near-misses. With Kuldeep Yadav, Mitchell Starc and exciting auction buys like Auqib Nabi Dar, Pathum Nissanka and Ben Duckett, DC have the firepower to challenge for the title.
Axar Patel (Captain) — T20 WC 2026 champion; one of India’s best all-rounders. His aggressive batting and left-arm spin make him DC’s heartbeat.
Kuldeep Yadav — India’s premier wrist-spinner; took 21 wickets in IPL 2024. Lethal in Delhi conditions.
Mitchell Starc — Left-arm swing and pinpoint yorkers make him a match-winner with the new ball and at death.
Ben Duckett — Aggressive England opener brings left-hand variety and strike-rate at the top.
Auqib Nabi Dar — DC’s biggest auction buy at ₹8.40 crore; the young Indian pacer has been exceptional in domestic cricket.
DC IPL 2026 Concerns
No IPL title in franchise history — consistency in knockout cricket has always been DC’s weakness.
New captain Axar Patel will need time to settle into the leadership role under pressure.
Overseas balance needs careful management with Starc, Duckett, Miller, Nissanka and Stubbs all competing.
DC IPL 2026 Verdict
Delhi Capitals have assembled one of the most exciting squads in IPL 2026, with match-winners across all departments. Under Axar Patel’s captaincy and Hemang Badani’s coaching, this could finally be DC’s year to lift their first IPL trophy.
KKR are IPL 2026’s most injury-hit team: Harshit Rana is out for the entire season after knee surgery, while ₹18 crore buy Matheesha Pathirana is still in Colombo rehabbing a calf injury and only arrives March 17 — giving him under 2 weeks to prepare. KKR have opted against an injury replacement.
Today is the final deadline for binding bids to buy RCB and Rajasthan Royals. Five parties have dropped out, leaving EQT Group (frontrunner at $2B+) and two others bidding for RCB, and Aditya Birla Group leading the RR race. Full breakdown of who’s in, who’s out and what happens next.
Josh Hazlewood is still awaiting medical clearance from Cricket Australia ahead of IPL 2026, putting RCB’s bowling plans in serious doubt. SRH captain Pat Cummins faces an identical fitness race. Both are being monitored by physios with just 12 days to go before the March 28 opener.
IPL 2026 full injury list: KKR in deepest trouble with Harshit Rana OUT all season and Pathirana still in Colombo. RCB’s Josh Hazlewood doubtful, LSG’s Hasaranga out 2 weeks. MS Dhoni knee rumours dismissed — he’s fully fit. RR are healthiest team. Full update for all 10 teams.
BCCI Naman Awards 2026 full winners list: Shubman Gill wins Polly Umrigar Award (2nd time), Smriti Mandhana named Best Women’s Cricketer (record 5th time), Rahul Dravid & Mithali Raj get Lifetime Achievement. Harshit Rana collects debut award on crutches.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi jokes he’ll score 2000 runs in IPL 2026 — and recalls telling Sanju Samson and Rahul Dravid “Pehla hi uda denge” before his debut. The 14-year-old RR sensation turns 15 on March 27, one day before IPL 2026 begins.
