DC Predicted Playing XI vs LSG- IPL 2026, Match 5. Credits - AFP
After many years, Delhi Capitals have assembled a strong unit that has all the ingredients to go a long way in what could be their season. The Axar Patel-led side will play their opener of the IPL 2026 against Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on April 1.
Last year, DC started the season with a bang by winning four-on-four, but then they derailed off the track. Eventually, they finished in fifth spot on the points table.
For IPL 2026, the Capitals have created an enthralling squad by acquiring Auqib Nabi, Pathum Nissanka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi and Prithvi Shaw in the mini auction.
Can these buys fill DC's voids? For that, let us look at the DC Predicted Playing XI vs LSG before their opening clash on Wednesday.
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DC Predicted Playing XI vs LSG- IPL 2026, Match 5
Top Order: KL Rahul, Pathum Nissanka, Abishek Porel
KL Rahul batted everywhere for Delhi last season. The experienced batter amassed 539 runs for the team, striking at 150, with his best 112* against the Gujarat Titans. This season, the highly-rated batter will be opening the innings in DC Predicted Playing XI vs LSG, as confirmed by the skipper, Axar Patel.
With Ben Duckett ruled out, Rahul will be partnered by the Sri Lankan Pathum Nissanka, who has been in the form of his life in the last couple of years. The two are among the best-looking openers in world cricket, who love punishing bowling attacks with proper cricketing strokes.
Abishek Porel will be the likely number three for the Capitals, given his numbers in the last two seasons.
Middle Order and All-Rounders: Nitish Rana, Tristan Stubbs, Vipraj Nigam, Axar Patel
Ahead of the season, DC had traded Nitish Rana from the Rajasthan Royals. The loyal boy will be a major boost to the DC line-up, with his credentials against spin coming in handy.
Rana will be followed by Tristan Stubbs, a generational talent. The Proteas loves taking the attack to both pace and spin, making him a key player in the middle order in the DC Predicted Playing XI vs LSG.
Skipper Axar Patel selects himself, and who can question him after the exploits in the last two T20 World Cup wins for India? The other all-rounder in DC Predicted Playing XI vs LSG is going to be Vipraj Nigam, a traditional leg-spinner who knows how to finish off the innings.
David Miller will be the Impact Player in the DC Predicted Playing XI vs LSG.
Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar
Kuldeep Yadav has to be the first name in the bowling line-up, the DC Predicted Playing XI vs LSG. The left-arm leg-spinner is a genuine wicket-taker and a core member of this team.
DC, in the last mega auction, invested in T Natarajan, but the left-arm seamer was injured and could only play two games in IPL 2025. In Mitchell Starc's absence, Natu will play a key role given his expertise as a death specialist.
Again in Starc's absence, one more pacer will get a nod in the DC Predicted Playing XI vs LSG, and he is Lungi Ngidi. He is coming off a brilliant T20 World Cup campaign and will be crucial for Delhi's success.
The last man on the list will be the golden boy Mukesh Kumar, who knows how to operate in all phases of an innings.
DC Playing XI vs LSG- IPL 2026, Match 5
KL Rahul (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Abishek Porel, Nitish Rana, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Vipraj Nigam, Axar Patel (c), Lungi Ngidi, T Natarajan, Kuldeep Yadav
Impact Players: Ashutosh Sharma, David Miller, Sameer Rizvi, Prithvi Shaw, Madhav Tiwari
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