IPL 2027 auction: 3 Delhi Capitals players who might not be retained

<p>Delhi Capitals had a mixed IPL 2026 campaign, finishing with seven wins and seven defeats to end up sixth on the points table. With the reported deadline for IPL 2027 retention submissions set for November 17, the franchise must now decide which players to keep and which to release.</p>
<p>The Capitals will need to assess where their squad requires strengthening before finalising their list. Three players in particular stand out as potential release candidates heading into the IPL 2027 auction.</p>
<h3>These are the 3 Delhi Capitals players who could be released:</h3>
<h3>3. Ben Duckett</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1769337975768_Phil-Salt-and-Ben-Duckett.jpeg" alt="Phil Salt and Ben Duckett" width="960" height="600" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Phil Salt and Ben Duckett . (Photo source: Alex Davidson/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>England batter <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/ben-duckett/"><strong>Ben Duckett </strong></a>was bought by Delhi Capitals at the IPL 2026 auction for ₹2 crore, but he withdrew from the tournament before a single match was played. His absence left the franchise short of an overseas batting option they had specifically planned around.</p>
<p>The concern for Delhi heading into IPL 2027 is whether Duckett will be available at all. Under IPL withdrawal regulations, an overseas player who pulls out after being purchased at auction without a valid reason could face a ban of up to two seasons. Given that uncertainty, the Capitals may prefer to release him and use that ₹2 crore to recruit a more reliable overseas batter at the next auction.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. Nitish Rana</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1777115392587_FotoJet-(3).jpeg" alt="Nitish Rana" width="960" height="600" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Nitish Rana (Photo Source: IPL)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Left-hand batter <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/nitish-rana/"><strong>Nitish Rana</strong></a> arrived at Delhi Capitals via a trade from Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2026, with the Capitals taking on a retention cost of ₹4.2 crore. He was expected to bring solidity to the middle order, but managed 225 runs across nine matches during the season.</p>
<p>However, the Capitals may feel that ₹4.2 crore could be better directed elsewhere in IPL 2027, either to reinforce another department or to bring in a batter who offers greater consistency. Rana's IPL experience means he would likely attract interest from other franchises if he were to enter the auction pool.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>1. Mukesh Kumar</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1775298312486_Mukesh-Kumar.jpeg" alt="Mukesh Kumar" width="960" height="600" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Mukesh Kumar. (Photo Source: JioStar)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/mukesh-kumar/"><strong>Mukesh Kumar</strong></a> was retained by Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2025 at ₹8 crore, making him one of the more expensive Indian pace options in their squad. In IPL 2026, he featured in 10 matches and claimed six wickets at an economy rate of 11.26 runs per over.</p>
<p>These numbers were difficult to overlook. Against Rajasthan Royals, Mukesh went wicketless while conceding 40 runs. He took 1 wicket for 31 against Punjab Kings in one outing, then returned 0 for 55 against the same side in another. Against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he gave away 53 runs without a wicket.</p>
<p>Given that ₹8 crore is a significant portion of any franchise's purse, Delhi Capitals could look to release him and target a more consistent Indian fast bowler at the IPL 2027 auction. Overall, Mukesh has picked up 42 wickets in 42 IPL appearances for the Capitals, and his best IPL 2024 campaign, when he was their leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets, remains a notable recall.</p>

<p>Delhi Capitals had a mixed IPL 2026 campaign, finishing with seven wins and seven defeats to end up sixth on the points table. With the reported deadline for IPL 2027 retention submissions set for November 17, the franchise must now decide which players to keep and which to release.</p>
<p>The Capitals will need to assess where their squad requires strengthening before finalising their list. Three players in particular stand out as potential release candidates heading into the IPL 2027 auction.</p>
<h3>These are the 3 Delhi Capitals players who could be released:</h3>
<h3>3. Ben Duckett</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1769337975768_Phil-Salt-and-Ben-Duckett.jpeg" alt="Phil Salt and Ben Duckett" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Phil Salt and Ben Duckett . (Photo source: Alex Davidson/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>England batter <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/ben-duckett/"><strong>Ben Duckett </strong></a>was bought by Delhi Capitals at the IPL 2026 auction for ₹2 crore, but he withdrew from the tournament before a single match was played. His absence left the franchise short of an overseas batting option they had specifically planned around.</p>
<p>The concern for Delhi heading into IPL 2027 is whether Duckett will be available at all. Under IPL withdrawal regulations, an overseas player who pulls out after being purchased at auction without a valid reason could face a ban of up to two seasons. Given that uncertainty, the Capitals may prefer to release him and use that ₹2 crore to recruit a more reliable overseas batter at the next auction.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. Nitish Rana</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1777115392587_FotoJet-(3).jpeg" alt="Nitish Rana" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Nitish Rana (Photo Source: IPL)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Left-hand batter <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/nitish-rana/"><strong>Nitish Rana</strong></a> arrived at Delhi Capitals via a trade from Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2026, with the Capitals taking on a retention cost of ₹4.2 crore. He was expected to bring solidity to the middle order, but managed 225 runs across nine matches during the season.</p>
<p>However, the Capitals may feel that ₹4.2 crore could be better directed elsewhere in IPL 2027, either to reinforce another department or to bring in a batter who offers greater consistency. Rana's IPL experience means he would likely attract interest from other franchises if he were to enter the auction pool.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>1. Mukesh Kumar</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1775298312486_Mukesh-Kumar.jpeg" alt="Mukesh Kumar" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Mukesh Kumar. (Photo Source: JioStar)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/mukesh-kumar/"><strong>Mukesh Kumar</strong></a> was retained by Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2025 at ₹8 crore, making him one of the more expensive Indian pace options in their squad. In IPL 2026, he featured in 10 matches and claimed six wickets at an economy rate of 11.26 runs per over.</p>
<p>These numbers were difficult to overlook. Against Rajasthan Royals, Mukesh went wicketless while conceding 40 runs. He took 1 wicket for 31 against Punjab Kings in one outing, then returned 0 for 55 against the same side in another. Against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he gave away 53 runs without a wicket.</p>
<p>Given that ₹8 crore is a significant portion of any franchise's purse, Delhi Capitals could look to release him and target a more consistent Indian fast bowler at the IPL 2027 auction. Overall, Mukesh has picked up 42 wickets in 42 IPL appearances for the Capitals, and his best IPL 2024 campaign, when he was their leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets, remains a notable recall.</p>

Delhi Capitals had a mixed IPL 2026 campaign, finishing with seven wins and seven defeats to end up sixth on the points table. With the reported deadline for IPL 2027 retention submissions set for Nov

3 Delhi Capitals players who could be released in IPL 2027

With the retention deadline approaching, Delhi Capitals face some tough calls ahead of the IPL 2027 auction.

Check out three Delhi Capitals players who might not be retained ahead of the IPL 2027 auction, only on CricTracker