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Delhi Capitals’ strongest XI after retentions for IPL 2026 looks settled on paper. With a retained core that combines experience, young hitting and a proven bowling unit, the team has the balance to challenge deep into the tournament.
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KL Rahul opens the batting and anchors the side. His 2025 season was one of his most assured in the IPL, scoring consistently and guiding chases with calm precision. Alongside him, Abishek Porel keeps his spot after an impressive run as an attacking keeper-opener.
Nitish Rana fits naturally at three. He offers the flexibility to rebuild or counterpunch, something he has done well over the years. Tristan Stubbs slots in next as the aggressor. Stubbs had a standout 2025 season, finishing games with explosive hitting and turning dead overs into scoring bursts.
Karun Nair at five brings control and temperament. His comeback innings in 2025 reminded everyone of his ability to bat long while keeping the scoring rate steady. Ashutosh Sharma adds finishing strength and can clear boundaries from ball one, making the lower middle order far more dangerous than in recent seasons.
Axar Patel, as always, holds the all-rounder role together. His accuracy through the middle overs and his ability to chip in with 20 or 30 important runs make him one of DC’s most valuable players. Kuldeep Yadav leads the spin attack, coming off another strong wicket-taking season where his variations troubled the top orders across venues.
The pace attack looks sharp with Mitchell Starc and T. Natarajan sharing the new ball and death overs. Starc brings raw pace and early breakthroughs, while Natarajan’s yorkers and angle make him one of the most dependable finishers with the ball. Vipraj Nigam rounds off the XI as the young spin all-rounder who adds depth and flexibility to the attack.
This lineup provides Delhi with a complete balance of solidity, explosiveness, and wicket-taking strength — a combination that can genuinely push for a playoff spot in IPL 2026.
Probable Playing XI - KL Rahul, Abishek Porel, Nitish Rana, Tristan Stubbs, Karun Nair, Ashutosh Sharma, Axar Patel, Vipraj Nigam, Kuldeep Yadav, Mitchell Starc, T. Natarajan.
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