As the Delhi Capitals prepare for the IPL 2026 Auction, CEO Sunil Gupta discussed the franchise’s approach to the auction, critical retentions, and the recent transaction that brought Nitish Rana into the fold.
Speaking about the nucleus of the group, Gupta stated:
“We have retained a solid group of players from last season. While we narrowly missed out on qualifying for the playoffs, it was a campaign filled with important learnings. We take those lessons forward and go again with a strong set of players, fully focused on achieving our objectives.”
Pre-auction The Delhi Capitals traded with the Rajasthan Royals, getting Nitish Rana in exchange of Donovan Ferreira. The talented left hander will be donning the Delhi Capitals jersey in the new season.
Gupta elaborated on the move, saying:
“Nitish is a seasoned IPL campaigner and a valuable addition to our squad. His familiarity with home conditions, being a local boy, along with the crucial roles he has played for his previous franchises, makes him a natural fit for our setup. We are absolutely delighted to welcome him to the Delhi Capitals family. Our boy is truly home.”
The Delhi Capitals have 21.80 crore INR left in the purse and eight slots to fill, including five overseas. On the night before the sale, Gupta reportedly told:
“We have arrived in Abu Dhabi, and our preparations for the auction have been underway for quite some time. Our scouting team has done an excellent job, and we are clear about our targets as we look to complete the remaining requirements of the squad.”
“While we will be aggressive where needed, auctions are dynamic, and flexibility is key. We’re looking forward to an exciting outing in Abu Dhabi,” he concluded.
