DC strongest XI with Pant back [Source: AFP]One of the biggest trade deals in IPL history is official! Rishabh Pant, the former LSG skipper, has returned home as he rejoins the Delhi Capitals for the IPL 2027 season. Pant was bought by LSG in the IPL 2025 mega auction for a whopping 27 crore, but the move failed to deliver the goods.He scored just 269 and 312 runs, respectively in the two seasons for LSG, and as a result of his poor outing, the team owner decided to part ways with him as they acquired Kuldeep Yadav in the trade deal.Pant’s return has certainly boosted Delhi Capitals’ batting order, and ahead of the IPL 2027, we take a look at DC’s strongest XI, with Pant back, and a potential new captain.Delhi Capitals playing XI for IPL 2027Openers and top order: Abishek Porel, KL Rahul(w), Rishabh PantJust like IPL 2025, DC tried a plethora of opening combinations in IPL 2026, and apart from KL Rahul, none of them were consistent enough. Pathum Nissanka and Sahil Parakh were tried and tested as an opener, and while Pathum scored a couple of fifties, the team combination and the need to have two overseas pacers might not allow DC to play him at the top.Hence, DC can go in with a left-right combination with KL Rahul paired up with Abishek Porel. He was only given four matches in the IPL 2026 season to justify his talent, but the franchise should give him a longer rope in the IPL 2027 season. Alongside him, the reliable KL Rahul would open.The comeback man, Pant, will play at number 3 for the Capitals. Despite two poor campaigns for LSG, the southpaw still remains a fantastic hitter of the ball, and DC would be tempted to give him the hitters’ role at 3.Middle order and all-rounders: Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Axar Patel(c), Vipraj Nigam, Madhav TiwariTwo quality overseas batters will follow Rishabh Pant as the South African pair of Tristan Stubbs and David Miller will play a key role as middle-order batters. Stubbs had a poor IPL 2026 for the Capitals, and the South African will be eager to play a greater role next season.Also Read: Rishabh Pant's Replacement As LSG Captain Locked In By Sanjiv GoenkaOn the other hand, Miller was dropped midway through the season, but the left-handed explosive player won a couple of matches for the Delhi Capitals, and he’ll play the role of finisher for the side.Axar Patel showed glimpses of his batting brilliance in the second half of the IPL 2026, and the potential Delhi Capitals captain will hope to carry the same batting form in IPL 2027 as well. Alongside him, Vipraj Nigam and Madhav Tiwari will also play in the lineup. Tiwari impressed with his all-around skills, and DC will hope to use his skill sets in the next IPL season.Bowlers: Auqib Nabi Dar, Mitchell Starc, Lungi NgidiThe franchise spent a whopping 8.40 crore on Auqib Nabi during the IPL 2026 mini auction. However, the pacer crumbled under the price tag pressure as he failed to deliver the goods. DC splashed a huge sum of money to buy him in the auction, and the management would be tempted to give him one more chance in the next IPL campaign.At least for the first few games, Auqib Dar could start alongside the two overseas pacers in the playing XI.Delhi’s bowling remains their weak point, and to cover it up, the franchise will continue to play with two overseas bowlers in Lungi Ngidi and Mitch Starc.Starc picked up 11 wickets in 6 IPL 2026 matches, while Ngidi scalped 13 wickets last season as the pair form a deadly bowling duo.Delhi Capitals strongest XI for IPL 2027Abishek Porel, KL Rahul(w), Rishabh Pant, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Axar Patel(c), Vipraj Nigam, Madhav Tiwari, Auqib Nabi Dar, Mitchell Starc, Lungi Ngidi(Note: captaincy yet to be decided)Also Read: Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav Complete Delhi Capitals-LSG Trade For IPL 2027
