Despite winning the first five games, Axar Patel-led Delhi Capitals failed to qualify for the playoffs, finishing fifth in the points table with seven wins. The DC retention list for IPL 2026 is formulated around a match-winning group before the Delhi Capitals go into the mini auction in December.
DC may approach the IPL 2026 season with a renewed focus on balancing youth and experience in the retention list and decisive releases. The management has opted to retain a blend of proven performers and emerging talent, while releasing several big names to optimise their auction purse as their plan to build a strong squad ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
Complete IPL 2026 Retention List, Released Players, and Remaining Purse Status
Delhi Capitals (DC) made crucial decisions ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, confirming their final retention list as the retention deadline closed on November 15. DC Remaining Purse is set at ₹21.8 crores after careful player releases, powering the franchise well for a major auction revamp. The DC retention list has some experienced stars alongside exciting young prospects as they aim to lift their maiden IPL trophy next year.
Ahead of the IPL 2026, here’s a look at the DC retained players 2026 list for the upcoming season.
| Players | Status | Purse + or – (INR) |
| Axar Patel | Retained | 16.5 Crores |
| KL Rahul | Retained | 14 Crores |
| Karun Nair | Retained | 50 lakh |
| Faf du Plessis | Released | 2 Crores |
| Donovan Ferreira | Trade | 75 Lakh |
| Abishek Porel | Retained | 4 Crores |
| Tristan Stubbs | Retained | 10 Crores |
| Sameer Rizvi | Retained | 95 Lakhs |
| Ashutosh Sharma | Retained | 3.80 Crores |
| Vipraj Nigam | Retained | 50 Lakhs |
| Madhav Tiwari | Retained | 40 Lakhs |
| Mitchell Starc | Retained | 11.75 Crores |
| Mukesh Kumar | Retained | 8 Crores |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Retained | 13.25 Crores |
| Sediqullah Atal | Released | 1.25 Crores |
| Darshan Nalkande | Released | 30 Lakhs |
| Ajay Mandal | Retained | 30 Lakhs |
| Manvanth Kumar | Released | 30 Lakhs |
| Tripurana Vijaya | Retained | 30 Lakhs |
| Dushmantha Chameera | Retained | 75 Lakhs |
| Mohit Sharma | Released | 2.20 Crores |
| T Natarajan | Retained | 10.75 Crores |
| Jake Fraser-McGurk | Released | 9 crore |
Faf du Plessis, Donovan Ferreira, Sediqullah Atal, Darshan Nalkande, Manvanth Kumar, Mohit Sharma, and Jake Fraser-McGurk
Delhi Capitals’ will be entering the IPL 2026 auction with a clear strategy, focusing on the signings of swashbuckling opening batter, experiences finisher and a reliable death over specialist pacer. After releasing high-profile overseas players like Faf du Plessis, Donovan Ferriera and Jake Fraser-McGurk, they might seek to acquire the services of David Miller or Glenn Maxwell for finisher role, Venkatesh Iyer or Quinton de Kock while Kuldeep Sen could be a crucial backup for Indian pacers. With a remaining purse of about ₹21.8 crore, they have strong financial flexibility to bid aggressively for experienced finishers and domestic pacer, aiming to build a balanced and playoff-ready squad for IPL 2026.
Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Abishek Porel, Tristan Stubbs, Sameer Rizvi, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Madhav Tiwari, Mitchell Starc, Mukesh Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Ajay Mandal, Tripurana Vijaya, Dushmantha Chameera, and T Natarajan.
Faf du Plessis, Donovan Ferreira, Sediqullah Atal, Darshan Nalkande, Manvanth Kumar, Mohit Sharma, and Jake Fraser-McGurk
DC’s strategy would be to target established finishers and the Indian bowling attack as they seek to bolster squad depth and versatility.
Delhi Capitals will enter the IPL 2026 auction with a purse of INR 21.8 crore.
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