![Ben Duckett replacement named by Delhi Capitals? [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1774713255253_BenDuckettreplacementnamed.jpg?type=hq)
Ben Duckett replacement named by Delhi Capitals? [Source: AFP]
The Delhi Capitals franchise appears to have unintentionally hinted at Ben Duckett’s replacement for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. Earlier this month, Duckett withdrew from the tournament to focus on his Test commitments.
His late withdrawal triggered a sense of urgency among both fans and the Capitals management, with the franchise left scrambling to secure an ideal replacement less than a week before the league opener. While no official announcement has been made regarding his replacement, the franchise seemingly dropped a subtle hint through a recent social media post, where an animated visual of a particular player caught the attention of eagle-eyed fans.
Delhi Capitals name Duckett’s replacement in a bizarre manner, fans react
On Saturday, March 28, the Delhi Capitals franchise dropped a short promo for Episode 3 of the “DC PG by Gulati” series across their social media handles. In the video, fans can be seen plastering posters of several Delhi Capitals players on the walls, including that of senior batter KL Rahul.
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Notably, one of the posters featured an art edit of a player resembling with young Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk, who has been under consideration as Ben Duckett’s replacement in the Capitals squad over the past week.
Certain eagle-eyed Delhi Capitals fans were quick to spot McGurk, with many claiming that the franchise might have unintentionally made the big reveal through a subtle visual cue in the promo. Notably, the franchise had made no prior official announcement regarding Duckett’s replacement, which only amplified the significance of the moment among fans.
The video even sparked social media discussion among several Capitals zealots, with fans wondering if Jake Fraser-McGurk had indeed been finalized as a replacement. Here is a look at some of the fans expressing their reactions over Delhi Capitals’ social media post.
Jake Fraser-McGurk pulled out of PSL 2026, set to join DC
It is worth noting that around the same time Ben Duckett withdrew from the Delhi Capitals squad for IPL 2026, Jake Fraser-McGurk also opted out of the PSL 2026 season in Pakistan. The 24-year-old attacking Australian batter was scheduled to feature for the Rawalpindi franchise in the Pakistani tournament.
Earlier this week, both Jake Fraser-McGurk and senior England batter Jonny Bairstow emerged as front-runners to replace Duckett in the Capitals setup. As things stand, the franchise’s recent social media activity suggests they may have decided to back the young Australian.
The Delhi Capitals will be expected to officially announce McGurk as their IPL 2026 replacement signing soon.
Interestingly, the youngster was also a part of the Capitals squad in the last two IPL editions, before getting released by the franchise prior to the IPL 2026 auction late last year.
Capitals to face LSG to start off IPL 2026
As per the IPL 2026 schedule unveiled by the BCCI earlier this month, the Delhi Capitals franchise is slated to go up against the LSG in their opening match of the tournament. The match will be hosted by the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, April 1 next week.
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