Delhi Capitals (DC) had started well in the IPL 2026 but failed to qualify for the playoffs. They won 7 games and lost 7 games out of 14 games in the league stage. Under Axar Patel, the Delhi Capitals performed at an average level, and though the spin all-rounder is likely to be retained for IPL 2027, he might not remain the captain.
DC has brought in a new coaching staff with Sourav Ganguly as head coach and Yuvraj Singh as assistant and batting coach, and with their management changing for the next two-year cycle, it is expected that there will be some players who will be let go before the IPL 2027 mini-auction.
Here are the 3 players DC could release before the IPL 2027 mini-auction:
3. Karun Nair
Karun Nair made his IPL comeback in 2025 when Delhi Capitals bought him for his base price. He played 8 games, scoring 198 runs with the best score of 89. He was retained for IPL 2026, but he made 18 runs in the two games he played as DC sought the right balance in their batting lineup. Karun Nair might be the first casualty when DC revamps their batting plans for IPL 2027, given his lack of white-ball cricket in recent times and the fact that he is way past his prime. DC might punt on someone younger who they can groom for the future.
2. Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc is unlikely to play the entire IPL 2027, as Australia have a packed schedule with prime focus on the ICC World Cup 2027 and the Ashes 2027 before that. Starc has always prioritised international cricket over the T20Is, and even in IPL 2026, Starc played only 6 games, after CA had restricted his participation in the tournament due to workload issues. DC might just let him go to increase their purse for the IPL 2026 mini auction.
1. Prithvi Shaw
After going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, Prithvi Shaw was bought by Delhi for his base price but failed to get a game in the overcrowded top order. With the likes of KL Rahul, Pathum Nissanka, Abishek Porel and others likely to vie for the opening slots, Shaw is unlikely to get a game in IPL 2027 as well. His domestic form will mostly decide his retention, but DC would instead like to free up slots to improve their middle order.
