The Delhi Capitals (DC) got off to an impressive start in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), but their performance declined as the tournament went on. They ultimately ended up in fifth place, narrowly missing out on a playoff spot, finishing with 15 points from 14 league matches.
Looking ahead to the IPL 2026 auction, the Capitals have significant room to strengthen their squad. By making a few strategic player releases, they could free up funds to pursue one or two high-profile signings. Additionally, DC already possess a strong core group that covers most key roles.
DC’s squad for IPL 2025 (including replacements): Jake Fraser-McGurk, Ashutosh Sharma, Sameer Rizvi, Mitchell Starc, Mukesh Kumar, T Natarajan, Harry Brook, Tristan Stubbs, Faf du Plessis, Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Abishek Porel, Donovan Ferreria, Axar Patel, Ajay Mandal, Manvanth Kumar, Tripurana Vijay, Madhav Tiwari, Kuldeep Yadav, Darshan Nalkande, Vipraj Nigam, Mohit Sharma, Dushmantha Chameera, Sediq Atal, Mustafizur Rahman (temp).
Here are three DC players who should be released before the IPL 2026 auction:
#1 T Natarajan
Bought for a massive ₹10.75 crore, T Natarajan played only one match for the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025. A shoulder injury ruled him out at the start of the season, and the team management later confirmed they preferred not to disrupt their established lineup.
Injuries have been a recurring issue for Natarajan, and age is catching up as well. Investing such a large sum in a bowler who may not remain fit throughout the season is risky. The Capitals could likely secure his services at a lower price in the IPL 2026 auction.
#2 Mukesh Kumar
Another high-paid fast bowler, Mukesh Kumar, has struggled to make a strong impact in the shortest format. Although he has had occasional highlights, the Bengal pacer has been inconsistent and cannot be relied upon as a key bowler for a top IPL side.
In IPL 2025, Mukesh took 12 wickets in 12 matches, with an economy rate of 10.33. Signed for ₹8 crore, his performances arguably don’t justify the price. At 31, he could either be retained at a lower cost or released to make way for a younger, more versatile option.
#3 Jake Fraser-McGurk
Jake Fraser-McGurk was among the top performers in IPL 2024, but technical flaws caught up with him in 2025. The Delhi Capitals opener was dropped after a string of low scores, as teams learned to exploit his high-risk style.
Bought back at the auction for ₹9 crore, Fraser-McGurk has recently fallen out of favor. His batting still requires significant improvement, with even the experienced Faf du Plessis outperforming him at the top of the order. The Capitals may have to put this project on hold for the time being.
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