Predicted DC release list for IPL 2026 ft. Karun Nair

Delhi Capitals started off IPL 2025 on a high note and dominated the league until they choked past the halfway stage. Led by captain Axar Patel, DC finished 5th on the points table with 7 wins and 6 losses, narrowly missing out on a spot in the playoffs. Like some of the strong sides in IPL, DC wouldn’t want to make too many changes to their squad ahead of IPL 2026. However, they surely can let go of some players who have underperformed and are more of a liability than an asset to the team.

Teams will have to decide on their retentions by November 15, nearly a month before IPL 2026 mini-auction. The event is scheduled to take place in the December 13-15 window. Ahead of the retention deadline, let’s take a look at some of the players DC could possibly release before IPL 2026.

Predicted DC release list for IPL 2026

1. Karun Nair

After remaining unsold for 2 seasons, the Karnataka batter made his comeback to IPL in 2025, riding high on confidence thanks to his fiery form in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. Bought for just Rs 50 lakh, Nair featured in 8 matches in IPL 2025 where he amassed 198 runs at an average of 23.85. In a side that is studded with modern day batters, Karun could possibly be deemed as a misfit. He managed to register just one half-century in the season. While he could serve as a good backup batter in the squad, DC might as well release him before IPL 2026 in order to find some younger batter who is a more sustainable option.

2. T Natarajan

DC shelled out a whooping Rs 10.75 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction to bag the Tamil Nadu pacer. However, possibly due to injury concerns, he was used only in 2 matches where he bowled a combined 3 overs only. He went wicketless as well. For a bowler who has consistently picked up wickets in the previous seasons of the IPL, Natarajan was simply underutilized. DC can free up a big amount in their auction purse by releasing him before IPL 2026.

3. Mohit Sharma

The seasoned pacer was least effective in IPL 2025, managing to pick up just 2 wickets in 8 games. He made his move from Gujarat Titans to DC after the latter bought him for Rs 2.2 crore at the mega auction. Barring his form, Sharma’s age is also against him as he will be 38 years old at the time of IPL 2026. DC wouldn’t mind letting go of Mohit before IPL 2026 in order to look for younger bowlers.

4. Donovan Ferreira

The South African keeper-batter was another underutilized talent in the DC camp. He featured in just one match in IPL 2025 where he scored just 1 run. Although he was bought for just Rs 75 lakh, DC could rather release him in order for the Proteas star to find another team where he could be a better fit in.