IPL 2026 Auction It is planned to be held on December 15, 2025. As teams prepare for the mini-auction, holding decisions become crucial for franchises to protect key personnel while managing the purse strings for new signings. Delhi Capitals (DC) It will make you wonder which players to keep after their mixed performances IPL 2025 season.
Delhi Capitals mixed performance in IPL 2025
Delhi Capitals have shown promising form at the start of IPL 2025, signaling a strong campaign under their new captain by returning their first four games Akhar Patel. But inconsistency plagued the middle and late stages and they missed out on the play-offs, fifth with 15 points from 14 matches. Batting was an area of ​​concern for DC as the team over-relied Kl rahulwho was the top run-scorer with 539 runs including a century. The rest of the batting line-up struggled to make a consistent impact. Bowling attack, leads Kuldeep Yadav And Axar said they’ve had moments of brilliance, particularly when they’ve taken down established rivals, but the overall support has been patchy in a one-under-one season for DC.
Five Indian players could retain Delhi Capitals for IPL 2026
1. Axar Patel (captain and all-rounder)

Akhar, the backbone of Delhi Capitals, led them into IPL 2025 as captain, an all-rounder with valuable contributions both with bat and ball, played 263 at 26.30 with a strike rate of 157.48. With his left-arm spin and ability to stabilize shots, Akhar remains a key figure around which DC’s core revolves.
2. KL Rahul (Wicket Keeper Blake)

Rahul continues to be DC’s most reliable batsman and Wicketeeper, with 539 runs in IPL 2025 at 53.90, including a century and three half-centuries. The versatility to bat in multiple order positions and provide a wicket-keeping option makes him indispensable for DC ahead of the auction.
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3. Ashutosh Sharma (All-rounder)

A promising young thoroughbred, Ashutosh Sharma Played 13 games for DC in IPL 2025
4. Kuldeep Yadav (left arm wrist spinner)

KulDeep, the main spinner for Delhi, has 15 wickets in 14 matches in IPL 2025 with an economy rate of 7.07 and an average of 24.06. Known for his wicket-taking ability and control, KulDeep’s experience and artistry make him a valuable catching option to lead the spin attack.
5. Vipraj Nigam (all-round leg bowling)

Vipraj nigam He is an emerging talent who has made an impact with both bat and ball in IPL 2025 across 14 matches. He took 11 wickets with an economy of 9.12 and scored 142 runs at an average of 20.28 at a strike rate of around 180, showcasing his all-rounder. His youthful potential aligns with DC’s strategy of grooming future stars.
These five Indian players show strong leadership, batting reliability, bowling prowess and budding young talent making them ideal catching options for Delhi Capitals till the Delhi 2026 auction. Retaining this core will provide stability while allowing DC to seek its own metaphorical foreign and domestic talent.

