One of the biggest underachieving sides in the IPL has been Delhi Capitals, and they are yet to win the title despite spending a lot during the course of many IPL auctions. The side reached the final in 2020, which was perhaps their best season to date. In IPL 2026, the Capitals finished sixth in the table and failed to reach the playoffs, ending the season in disappointment. 

Former skipper Rishabh Pant is back in Delhi after spending two seasons in Lucknow as the costliest player in the league. The 29-year-old was involved in the first trade deal ahead of the upcoming season, with Kuldeep Yadav heading the other way. Pant’s return could also provide the side with much-needed stability in the middle order, which the side lacked last season. 

The management is known to make several changes to the side and spend big during the auctions. One cannot rule out one such massive release fest occurring ahead of the 15th November, with several big names on the chopping block. 

Here are the five players Delhi Capitals could release

5- Prithvi Shaw

He is just 27 years old, but his stock has fallen drastically. Prithvi Shaw was purchased by DC ahead of the 2026 season but warmed the bench. Shaw could be released by the team to make way for other possible backup options. 

4- David Miller 

Veteran South African batter David Miller’s prowess in the T20 format has started to witness a slight decline. The 37-year-old played 11 games for Delhi last season, scoring 211 runs with just a single fifty and a strike rate of 154. Miller’s age and the need for a better striker of the ball towards the end of the innings could see the player depart.

3- Karun Nair

Out-of-favor Indian batter Karun Nair enjoyed a fairly decent season in 2025, where he scored 198 runs from eight games with one fifty and a strike rate of 172. Nair faces a potential exit from Capitals after scoring 18 runs from just two games last season. The veteran batter hasn’t exuded much confidence with the bat in recent times, which could work against him. 

2- Kyle Jamieson

When fit, there is no bigger threat than 32-year-old Kyle Jamieson with the ball in hand. The tall Kiwi pacer can trouble the best batters with his steep bounce and deceptive pace. Since his debut, Jamieson has been troubled by fitness issues, and DC cannot afford to put their faith in a player who hasn’t played consistent cricket. 

1- Mitchell Starc

The biggest name who could be released is none other than Mitchell Starc, not because of his performance, butrather due to Australia’s packed international schedule. The seamer may not want to risk any injury with a potential WTC final on the line, as well as the Ashes and the ODI World Cup lined up next year. Starc played six games last year and got 11 wickets despite joining nearly after half the campaign was done.