IPL 2026: Even after playing in all 18 editions of the IPL, the Delhi Capitals haven't lifted the elusive title yet. Last season, the Delhi-based franchise won four consecutive matches before losing to the Mumbai Indians in their fifth match. They did win five of their first six matches. But then, it quickly lost the plot. Even after fielding the same XI and using the same game plan, they won just two of their last eight matches and thus failed to qualify for the playoffs due to fewer points and a poor NRR.
Reflecting on their finish in IPL 2025—fifth place, securing only seven out of 14 matches—Delhi will look to regroup for the upcoming season. Their goal is clear: to make a brilliant comeback by qualifying for the playoffs this time.
To support their playoff ambitions, the Delhi-based franchise has retooled its squad for the upcoming season. Notable additions include talented domestic players such as Nitish Rana, Prithvi Shaw, and Aquib Nabi. The franchise also bolstered its ranks with international stars such as South Africa's David Miller, England's Ben Duckett, and New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson, all acquired at last year's auction.
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Complementing changes to the squad, Delhi has also refreshed its coaching lineup. Former England cricketer Ian Bell joins as an assistant coach, alongside head coach Hemang Badani and bowling coach Munaf Patel, under the leadership of Venugopal.
Experienced players like KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, and Mitchell Starc will remain central to the Delhi Capitals' hopes, as the team aims to end their trophy drought this season.
How Delhi Capitals Have Fared In IPL
They have had a mixed campaign in this tournament since the first edition in 2008. During the first few years, this franchise, which was earlier called Delhi Daredevils, showed potential by qualifying for the semifinals and also ended as the table toppers in 2009. But after that, they were quite inconsistent, finishing in the lower half of the points table between 2010 and 2018.
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This inconsistency gave way to a turnaround in 2019, when the franchise rebranded as Delhi Capitals. That year, they qualified for the playoffs and built a formidable team. Their momentum carried into IPL 2020, where they reached their first final as runners-up.
Although Delhi topped the table again in 2021, it failed to progress past the playoffs. In subsequent editions from 2022 to 2025, the team struggled with inconsistency, repeatedly missing the playoffs despite competitive performances in some matches.
2008 – Finished 4th in the league stage; reached the semi-finals.
2009 – Topped the league table but were eliminated in the semi-finals.
2010 – Ended 5th, missing out on the playoffs.
2011 – Finished 10th out of 10, one of their poorest seasons.
2012 – Topped the league stage again but exited in the playoffs.
2013 – Finished 9th out of 9, struggling throughout the season.
2014 – Finished last (8th) in the league stage.
2015 – Finished 7th, failing to reach the knockouts.
2016 – Placed 6th, again missing the playoffs.
2017 – Finished 6th for the second consecutive season.
2018 – Finished 8th, well out of the playoff spots
2019 – Finished 3rd and reached the playoffs, marking a major turnaround.
2020 – Achieved their best-ever finish as runners-up, reaching the IPL final.
2021 – Finished 1st in the league stage but were knocked out in the playoffs.
2022 – Placed 5th out of 10, narrowly missing the playoffs.
2023 – Finished 9th out of 10, another disappointing campaign.
2024 – Ended 6th out of 10, failing to qualify for the playoffs.
2025 – Finished 5th out of 10, remaining competitive but missing the knockouts.
Strongest Playing XI For IPL 2026
KL Rahul (WK), Ben Duckett, Nitish Rana, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Axar Patel (C), Ashutosh Sharma, Sameer Rizvi, Mitchell Starc, T Natarajan, Kuldeep Yadav, Auqib Dar (Impact Sub)
Full Squad
Nitish Rana, Abishek Porel, Ajay Mandal, Ashutosh Sharma, Axar Patel (c), Dushmantha Chameera, Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Madhav Tiwari, Mitchell Starc, Sameer Rizvi, T Natarajan, Tripurana Vijay, Tristan Stubbs, Vipraj Nigam, Mukesh Kumar, David Miller, Ben Duckett, Auqib Nabi, Pathum Nissanka, Lungi Ngidi, Sahil Parikh, Prithvi Shaw, Kyle Jamieson.
Delhi Capitals Full Schedule For IPL 2026 (First Phase)
April 1: Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals (Ekana) – 7:30 PM
April 4: Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians (Delhi) – 3:30 PM
April 8: Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans (Delhi) – 7:30 PM
April 11: CSK vs Delhi Capitals (Chennai) -7:30 PM IST
Delhi Capitals Team Prediction For IPL 2026
The team has a formidable batting lineup, known for aggressive openers and reliable middle-order batters who can anchor or accelerate as required. Their bowling attack is strengthened by experienced pacers and crafty spinners, giving them the balance needed to challenge opponents and boost their chances of qualifying for the playoffs this year.
If they reach the playoffs after the group stage, Delhi Capitals will aim to finally lift the elusive trophy and etch their name in IPL history. The road may be challenging, but this season could be their long-awaited breakthrough.