Delhi Capitals' Best Playing XI For IPL 2026- No Prithvi Shaw, KL Rahul Back To Open

Delhi Capitals - (Source: AFP)

IPL 2026 begins on March 28 with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening game. The Rajat Patidar-led side ended their drought last season, leaving Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals as the only two teams searching for a trophy. 

This article will focus on the Delhi Capitals, who had a great start in IPL 2025 but fumbled on the way and failed to qualify for the playoffs. For IPL 2026, the Capitals made a few changes to their squad. 

Delhi Capitals were focused and went after players to fill their voids. DC brought in Pathum Nissanka and Prithvi Shaw to fix their ailing opening order as Faf Du Plessis announced his move out of IPL. Further, Delhi lacked a solid power-hitter down the middle-order, which is why DC got Miller at a bargain price of 2 crores. 

Even in the bowling department, Delhi Capitals have brought in Auqib Nabi at 8.40 crores to strengthen their pace attack after the departure of Mohit Sharma. This time around, the aim is simple, which is to follow RCB’s footsteps and end the trophy drought.

Therefore, this article will shed light on the Delhi Capitals’ best playing XI for IPL 2026.

Delhi Capitals’ Best Playing XI For IPL 2026

Openers and top order: KL Rahul, Pathum Nissanka, Nitish Rana, Axar Patel

Ahead of IPL 2026, Delhi Capitals’ captain Axar Patel confirmed that KL Rahul will return to open the innings for Capitals. In IPL 2025, DC experimented with six opening pairs. Rahul was earlier used at the No.4 position but later shifted to the opening slot.

However, for IPL 2026, the Capitals are assured that they want their star batter to open the innings for them. Talking about KL’s numbers at the top, he has played 103 innings and scored 4418 runs, averaging 49.64. 

KL Rahul's numbers as opener in IPL

KL Rahul is expected to be accompanied by Pathum Nissanka as his opening partner. The right-handed batter had a brilliant T20 World Cup 2026, where he scored 211 runs in seven innings.

Nitish Rana is expected to bat at No.3 and has been roped in by the Capitals because of his brilliant Delhi Premier League. In the DPL, Rana scored 393 runs in 11 innings, averaging 65.50. Further, he had a strike rate of 181.94. 

Also Read: CSK Sign KKR Reject As Nathan Ellis' Replacement For IPL 2026

At No.4, skipper Axar Patel is expected to bat as he was promoted up the order last season and it reaped results for the Capitals. 

Middle-Order: David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam

Delhi Capitals' new recruit David Miller is expected to bat at No.5. He needs no introduction and is still performing at the age of 36. Talking about T20 World Cup 2026, Miller scored 174 runs in six innings. 

Tristan Stubbs will continue to be a key player for Capitals in the middle-order. He showed experience and maturity for SEC in SA20 final when he led his team to glory. Rest, Ashutosh Sharma and Vipraj Nigam will be playing in the lower middle-order.

The two uncapped stars had a brilliant IPL 2025 and are in search of a breakout season. IPL 2026 is a perfect opportunity to seize for the India players.

Bowlers: Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi

During IPL 2026, DC splurged maximum amount to have J&K superstar Auqib Nabi in the team. The star all-rounder took the domestic season by storm and helped his side lift the Ranji Trophy for first time in history. 

Therefore, he will play a key role for the Capitals in IPL 2026. Further, Mitchell Starc has not been granted NOC by Cricket Australia for the upcoming season which is why Lungi Ngidi is expected to chip in his place. There is an uncertainty around Starc's availability with the management unaware of the left-arm seamer's return to the camp.

Lungi Ngidi had a brilliant T20 World Cup and could come in handy for the Capitals. He will be assisted by Kuldeep Yadav to form a solid bowling line-up. Further, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar, Dushmantha Chameera are expected to feature as the impact players. 

Delhi Capitals' Predicted Best Playing XI For IPL 2026

1. KL Rahul (WK)
2. Pathum Nissanka
3. Nitish Rana
4. Axar Patel (C)
5. David Miller
6. Tristan Stubbs
7. Ashutosh Sharma
8. Vipraj Nigam
9. Auqib Nabi
10. Kuldeep Yadav
11. Lungi Ngidi

Impact Subs: T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar, Dushmantha Chameera

Also Read: Delhi Capitals Opener Pulls Out Of IPL 2026