DC players who can be released due to poor fitness standards [Source: AFP]The Delhi Capitals always boast quality players in their ranks, but that has never resulted in a trophy as their drought continued after getting eliminated in the league stage in IPL 2026. The Capitals looked promising on paper, but positive results were hard to come by as the team once again failed to deliver the goods.Under the leadership of Axar Patel, the Delhi Capitals lacked a vision, and barring a few players most of the DC squad members underperformed as they finished sixth with seven wins out of 14.Delhi Capitals start early IPL 2027 preparations with fitness camps startingAs reported by RevSportz, the Delhi Capitals will start their fitness camp in August 2026 as part of their early IPL 2027 preparations. Several players will assemble, and interestingly, the Delhi-based franchise could eliminate those players who won’t meet the fitness criteria.The team is desperate to win the IPL championship, and for that, every player needs to be at their absolute best. With DC looking to break their IPL title drought, here are the players who could be released before the mini-auction due to poor fitness standards.1) Prithvi ShawAfter winning the Under-19 title in 2018, Prithvi Shaw, the Indian captain was bought by the Delhi Capitals, and while he scored runs for them, his consistency, discipline and fitness issues always hampered his career.The franchise was upset with his recurring off-field issues and indiscipline, and many coaches felt that he didn’t have the drive and the work ethic to succeed at the highest level.Also, over the years, his poor fitness standards have led to several injuries, notably the knee ligament injury he sustained before the IPL 2024 season.He last played in the IPL in 2024, and in 2026, despite being in the Delhi Capitals squad, Shaw didn’t get a single game as he warmed the bench for the entire tournament. Hence, the upcoming fitness camp is crucial for the Indian batter. If he fails to impress, the DC management might be tempted to release him.2) T NatarajanT Natarajan and injury have gone hand-in-hand in the last few years, and that has even derailed his India journey. Once a promising Indian pacer with a bright future, Natarajan’s stocks have fallen mainly due to his injury record.Surprisingly, he was bought for 10.75 crore ahead of IPL 2025, but he only managed to play a single game in the entire tournament as he carried a niggle. Moreover, he played 10 matches in 2026, but the pace and the sharpness dropped drastically due to injuries.Also Read: Delhi Capitals Join Hardik Pandya Trade Race To Offer 2 Big Indian StarsIn the 2017-18 domestic season, Natarajan sustained an elbow injury, and after being fit for a brief period, the left-arm pacer sustained a knee injury during the IPL 2021 season.He broke his collarbone in 2025, and that also affected his IPL 2025 journey. Hence, if he fails in the upcoming fitness trials, the franchise won’t think twice before releasing him.3) Dushmantha ChameeraA highly promising Sri Lankan pacer, Dushmantha Chameera has been around the international circuit since 2015, but just like his DC mate, Natarajan, Chameera’s career has also been hit by injuries.He is one of the most talented Sri Lankan bowlers, but every time he gets fit, an injury derails his journey. His injury started with a lower back issue in 2016, sustained during Sri Lanka’s England tour.In 2019, he picked up an ankle injury against Australia in Brisbane, and it required extensive rehabilitation.In 2023, he sustained a torn pectoral muscle injury, and in the same year, suffered a pectoral tear during the Lanka Premier League.He also had a left quadricep injury against Afghanistan in 2024, and the list goes on, as Chameera has been an injury-prone pacer. Just like Natarajan, if he, too, fails to impress in the fitness camp, the Sri Lankan pacer could be shown the exit door.Also Read: Joe Root Becomes England's Test Captain, New Head Coach Announced
