Delhi Capitals — Back Your Team in IPL 2026

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

Delhi Capitals enter IPL 2026 with renewed purpose under the captaincy of Axar Patel, a proven match-winner who leads both with the bat and the ball. The squad assembled for this season reflects a strong blend of experienced internationals and promising domestic talent, making Delhi Capitals one of the more complete sides on paper. Head coach Hemang Badani brings tactical discipline and a sharp understanding of Indian conditions, which could prove to be a decisive factor over the course of the tournament.

The batting unit is deep and versatile, with the likes of KL Rahul, David Miller, and Ben Duckett providing a solid foundation across all three phases. The bowling department is arguably the strongest in recent memory for this franchise, featuring Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, and T Natarajan — a combination that can trouble any batting lineup. Squad balance is a clear priority, and the management has ensured cover in every category.

For a full overview of all ten franchises heading into the new season, check the IPL 2026 team table for updated standings, results, and squad information.

Delhi Capitals 2026 Upcoming Matches

Delhi Capitals open their IPL 2026 campaign on the road against Lucknow Super Giants before returning to their home fortress at Arun Jaitley Stadium. The schedule below covers the first set of confirmed fixtures involving the Capitals.

Stay updated with all fixture results and live standings on the 2026 IPL team table throughout the season.

Quick Facts: Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026

For a complete breakdown of the entire playing group, visit the Delhi Capitals Players page.

Squad Breakdown

The Delhi Capitals 2026 squad is constructed with clear intent. The top order is loaded with run-scorers of international pedigree, the middle order offers finishing power, and the bowling attack covers pace, swing, and spin across all conditions. At 25 players, the depth gives the coaching staff genuine options regardless of pitch or opposition.

Batters

• Karun Nair — A technically sound right-hander with a knack for building substantial innings at the top or middle order.
• Nitish Rana — An aggressive left-handed batter capable of changing the game in the Powerplay or middle overs.
• Sameer Rizvi — A young, hard-hitting talent who can accelerate quickly and has shown promise at domestic level.
• Prithvi Shaw — An explosive opener known for his attacking instincts and ability to destroy new-ball bowling.
• David Miller — The experienced South African finisher, renowned for his composure and big-hitting ability in death overs.
• Ben Duckett — A dynamic English left-hander equally effective at the top of the order and during power plays.
• Pathum Nissanka — The Sri Lankan opener who brings solid technique and consistency across formats.
• Ashutosh Sharma — A compact domestic batter who offers solidity in the middle order under pressure.
• Tripurana Vijay — A developing Indian batter with good hand-eye coordination suited to T20 conditions.

Wicket-Keepers (WK-Batter)

• KL Rahul — One of India’s most accomplished keeper-batters, dependable across all phases and a natural leader at the crease.
• Tristan Stubbs — The South African hard-hitter who doubles as an athletic gloveman and a match-winning finisher.
• Abishek Porel — A young Bengal wicket-keeper batter with rapid reflexes and growing T20 maturity.

All-Rounders

• Axar Patel — The captain and the heartbeat of the team, a left-arm spinner who bats with authority in the lower-middle order.
• Ajay Jadav Mandal — An emerging domestic all-rounder who adds balance and flexibility to the eleven.
• Madhav Tiwari — A young utility cricketer capable of contributing with both bat and ball in support roles.
• Auqib Nabi Dar — A promising all-round prospect from Jammu & Kashmir with a sharp cricketing mind.

Bowlers

• Kuldeep Yadav — The left-arm wrist spinner who is among the most dangerous match-winners in the competition when on song.
• Mukesh Kumar — A right-arm seamer with excellent seam movement and consistent line and length.
• T Natarajan — A left-arm yorker specialist who has become one of the most reliable death bowlers in the IPL.
• Vipraj Nigam — An up-and-coming spinner with a deceptive loop and the ability to turn the ball on flat tracks.
• Mitchell Starc — The Australian left-arm express pacer, one of the most feared new-ball bowlers in world cricket.
• Lungi Ngidi — A tall South African pace bowler who generates steep bounce and can trouble the best batters.
• Kyle Jamieson — A giant New Zealand seamer who extracts awkward lift and swings the ball effectively in all conditions.
• Dushmantha Chameera — A fiery Sri Lankan quick with serious pace and an ability to take wickets at any point in an innings.
• Sahil Parakh — A domestic pacer who offers the team a reliable backup option and strong effort-ball skills.

Home Stadium: The Fortress

Arun Jaitley Stadium in the heart of Delhi is one of the oldest and most iconic cricket venues in India. The pitch at this ground traditionally offers something for everyone — early movement for the seamers, good carry through the innings, and some turn for the spinners as the match progresses. The outfield is quick, which means quality strokeplay is rewarded, and the dimensions of the ground make big-hitting a genuine prospect. Delhi Capitals have historically been difficult to beat at this venue, where the partisan crowd adds an intensity that puts visiting teams under real pressure.

The atmosphere inside the stadium during an IPL evening match is electric, with fans creating a wall of sound that fuels the home side. For Delhi Capitals, Arun Jaitley Stadium is more than just a home ground — it is a strategic advantage. The combination of a spin-friendly surface in the later stages of a match and a pace-friendly new ball sets up perfectly for the squad Hemang Badani has assembled, where Kuldeep Yadav and Mitchell Starc can be devastatingly effective at either end of an innings.

Season Outlook

Delhi Capitals go into IPL 2026 with arguably their most balanced squad in several seasons. The pace attack, led by Mitchell Starc and Dushmantha Chameera, combined with the wrist-spin of Kuldeep Yadav, gives Hemang Badani a potent and varied bowling arsenal. In batting, KL Rahul at the top and David Miller finishing in the lower order provides a solid framework around which the rest of the lineup can operate. The captaincy of Axar Patel adds an extra dimension — he is a thinking cricketer who has the respect of his teammates and the composure to handle pressure situations.

The path to the playoffs will depend on how quickly the squad gels, particularly the mix of overseas players and the form of younger talents like Sameer Rizvi and Abishek Porel. If the bowling unit fires consistently and the batting order delivers in the Powerplay, Delhi Capitals have a genuine case to push for a top-four finish. With home advantage at Arun Jaitley Stadium and a strong bowling lineup suited to Indian conditions, this is a Delhi Capitals side that should not be underestimated in IPL 2026.