Back Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026

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

Delhi Capitals return to IPL 2026 with a refreshed squad and a clear sense of direction. Under the captaincy of Axar Patel — a proven match-winner with both bat and ball — the side looks well-structured and balanced across all departments. Head coach Hemang Badani brings tactical clarity to a group that blends international experience with exciting domestic talent.

The batting lineup features the return of KL Rahul, who adds considerable pedigree behind the stumps and at the top of the order. David Miller and Ben Duckett offer flair in the middle order, while Kuldeep Yadav and Mitchell Starc form a formidable bowling pair capable of running through any lineup on their day.

With a competitive core and several match-winners in the XI, Delhi Capitals enter this campaign with genuine playoff ambitions. Follow the IPL 2026 Live Score for Delhi Capitals match updates throughout the season.

Delhi Capitals 2026 Upcoming Matches

Delhi Capitals are set for a demanding schedule in IPL 2026. Their campaign opens on the road against Lucknow Super Giants, before they welcome Mumbai Indians to their fortress at Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Keep checking the live score cricket IPL page to stay on top of every Delhi Capitals fixture as results come in.

Quick Facts: Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026

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

Squad Breakdown

Delhi Capitals have assembled a squad that covers all bases. The batting unit is deep and varied, the bowling attack is potent with both pace and spin, and the wicket-keeping options add real flexibility to selection. The all-round department, led by captain Axar Patel, is the glue that holds everything together.

Batters

• Karun Nair — Experienced right-hand batter known for converting starts into big scores.
• Nitish Rana — Aggressive left-hander who can shift momentum quickly in the powerplay and middle overs.
• Sameer Rizvi — Young talent with strong timing and the ability to clear the boundary with ease.
• Prithvi Shaw — Explosive opener who sets the tone at the top with fearless stroke play.
• David Miller — South Africa’s finisher, clinical under pressure and outstanding in the death overs.
• Ben Duckett — Left-hand opener who excels at rotating the strike and punishing bad deliveries.
• Pathum Nissanka — Sri Lankan batter with solid technique and growing T20 credentials.
• Ashutosh Sharma — Hard-hitting domestic talent capable of playing a match-defining cameo.
• Tripurana Vijay — Steady top-order batter who provides stability in the middle of a chase.

Wicket-Keepers (WK-Batter)

• KL Rahul — Class act behind the stumps and one of the IPL’s most reliable top-order batters.
• Tristan Stubbs — South African power-hitter who keeps wicket and contributes valuable runs down the order.
• Abishek Porel — Young Bengal gloveman who has shown impressive composure in domestic cricket.

All-Rounders

• Axar Patel — Captain, left-arm spinner, and big-hitting lower-order batter. The heart of Delhi Capitals’ XI.
• Ajay Jadav Mandal — Emerging all-rounder with useful off-spin and handy lower-order runs.
• Madhav Tiwari — Young domestic all-rounder adding depth to the squad’s middle-order options.
• Auqib Nabi Dar — Promising Kashmir-based all-rounder with sharp bowling instincts.

Bowlers

• Kuldeep Yadav — China-man spinner and one of the most potent wicket-takers in white-ball cricket.
• Mukesh Kumar — Right-arm seamer who hits the deck hard and generates awkward bounce.
• T Natarajan — Yorker specialist and death-over expert with vast IPL experience.
• Vipraj Nigam — Young leg-spinner with the ability to turn the ball sharply and surprise batters.
• Mitchell Starc — Australian left-arm quick who swings the ball early and is lethal at both ends.
• Lungi Ngidi — Tall South African pacer with pace and the ability to generate awkward angles.
• Kyle Jamieson — New Zealand seamer who uses his height to extract awkward bounce and movement.
• Dushmantha Chameera — Sri Lankan express pacer who can regularly touch high speeds.
• Sahil Parakh — Domestic seamer providing cover and adding variety to the pace attack.

Home Stadium — The Fortress

Arun Jaitley Stadium in the heart of Delhi is one of Indian cricket’s most storied venues. The pitch here typically offers assistance to pace bowlers in the early overs, with the ball moving under lights during evening fixtures. As the match progresses, the surface tends to flatten out, making it a balanced contest between bat and ball. Delhi’s dry conditions mean spin can come into play in the second half of the game, giving Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel a significant home advantage.

The atmosphere at Arun Jaitley Stadium is electric on match nights. The loyal Delhi fan base fills every stand and creates pressure that visiting sides consistently struggle to handle. For Delhi Capitals, playing at home is a genuine tactical asset — the combination of a seam-friendly surface, partisan crowd, and the team’s familiarity with the conditions has historically delivered strong home results.

Season Outlook

Delhi Capitals look like a more complete side heading into IPL 2026 than they have been for several seasons. The leadership of Axar Patel brings calmness and competitive instinct to the group, and the coaching setup under Hemang Badani provides structure. The batting lineup from KL Rahul at the top through to David Miller at number five is one of the most settled in the competition, and the bowling attack featuring Mitchell Starc and Kuldeep Yadav can dismiss sides on any surface.

The key for Delhi will be consistency — backing their best eleven across the full 14-match league stage and managing the international players effectively. If KL Rahul finds form early and the bowling unit stays injury-free, this Delhi Capitals side has every chance of making the playoffs and mounting a deep run in IPL 2026. The squad depth is there. The talent is undeniable. Now it is about execution.