3 DC players who must be released after IPL 2026 ft. T Natarajan

The Delhi Capitals (DC) endured yet another underwhelming season in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). Axar Patel and company missed out on the playoffs once again, and the pressure is building on the owners and the management to deliver a trophy.

There’s plenty of room for improvement as far as DC’s roster is concerned. There are many areas where players who don’t add much value are on exorbitant contracts, and releasing them will allow Delhi to assemble the right personnel in a balanced manner.

On that note, here are three DC players who must be released after IPL 2026.

#3 T Natarajan

T Natarajan played a good chunk of matches in IPL 2026, but he found wickets nearly impossible to come by. The left-arm seamer was too predictable no matter where he bowled, and oppositions found it all too easy to put away the loose deliveries he offered on a regular basis.

Natarajan has been a solid operator over the years in the IPL, but he’s clearly close to the end of his career. Injuries have curtailed his pace, and he doesn’t seem to have many options at his disposal. At ₹10.75 crore, his price tag is far too high as well.

DC need to release Natarajan and potentially buy him back at a cheaper price if they believe he has more to give.

#2 Auqib Nabi

Signed at the recent IPL auction for ₹8.4 crore, Auqib Nabi didn’t make an impact for DC. Although he had one good spell in Dharamsala, he was rarely among the wickets and didn’t seem capable of taking on all-phase duties for the franchise.

Nabi is a canny performer in domestic cricket, but he arguably doesn’t have the pace and diverse skillset needed to succeed at the IPL level. Almost 30 years of age, the Jammu & Kashmir quick certainly doesn’t warrant the kind of price tag he is currently commanding.

DC could consider buying him back at a cheaper price, but releasing him seems to be a no-brainer.

#1 Mukesh Kumar

Mukesh Kumar had his moments with the new ball in IPL 2026. The DC fast bowler started the season well but soon lost his place in the side, largely because they needed someone who could contribute across the other two phases.

Mukesh is earning ₹8 crore, a price that doesn’t justify his limited skillset. Again not very young and not particularly quick, the seamer doesn’t seem to have a high ceiling in the shortest format. Delhi need to invest in younger, more well-rounded pacers, and that money will be useful in that regard.