News India Live, Digital Desk: Delhi Capitals is one of the few teams which has not won a single IPL trophy till now. For IPL 2026, the franchise has tried to overcome its shortcomings with the captaincy of Axar Patel and a strong Indian core. The team’s eyes are now on consistency and the right playing eleven combination.1. ‘Smart’ mindset shown in the auction: This time Delhi bought as per requirement instead of spending too much money in the auction. They have further strengthened their middle-order by adding experienced international names like David Miller and Ben Duckett at their base price (₹2 crore). Additionally, the arrival of Pathum Nissanka and Kyle Jamieson has given the team depth in overseas options.2. New role of KL Rahul (KL Rahul as Opener) According to the latest reports, KL Rahul will be seen opening for Delhi Capitals this season and will also handle the responsibility of wicketkeeping. After playing in the middle order last season, the decision to send him to the upper order has been taken to give the team a stable and aggressive start.3. Deadly bowling attack: Delhi’s bowling department looks the most dangerous on paper: Pace Battery: Lungi Ngidi, T Natarajan and Mukesh Kumar along with Mitchell Starc, one of the most expensive players in the world, will handle the challenge of death overs. Spin Pair: The pair of Kuldeep Yadav and captain Axar Patel is ready to stop the opposition batsmen in the middle overs. 4. Youthful enthusiasm and finishing touchThe team has made it clear that they are investing in future match-winners by retaining emerging Indian players like Sameer Rizvi and Ashutosh Sharma. Together with Tristan Stubbs, these players have the ability to score runs quickly in the last overs. Delhi Capitals (DC) Full Squad for IPL 2026Retained players: Axar Patel (captain), KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Mitchell Starc, Tristan Stubbs, Abhishek Porel, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar, Karun Nair, Sameer Rizvi, Ashutosh Sharma. Bought/traded in the auction: David Miller, Ben Duckett, Prithvi Shaw (75 lakh), Kyle Jamieson, Lungi Ngidi, Pathum Nissanka, Nitish Rana (trade from Rajasthan). Big challenge for DC (The Puzzle) Experts believe that Delhi now has ‘problem of plenty’. Who among Prithvi Shaw, Ben Duckett and Nissanka should be selected to open with Rahul in the playing eleven, it can be a headache for head coach Hemang Badani.