Delhi Capitals could build their expected IPL 2027 retained players list around captain Axar Patel, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant. The Delhi-based franchise has not officially announced its final retention list, which will be released on Tuesday, November 17.

Delhi Capitals has already made important changes to its squad through trades ahead of the next season. Rishabh Pant has returned to Delhi, while Kuldeep Yadav has moved to the Lucknow Super Giants. T. Natarajan has also joined Sunrisers Hyderabad, with Zeeshan Ansari moving to Delhi.

Which Players Are Likely to Be Retained by Delhi Capitals?

Axar Patel and KL Rahul are expected to remain central to the franchise's plans for IPL 2027. Rahul brings experience at the top of the order and can also take responsibility behind the stumps.

Rishabh Pant's return is another major boost for the franchise. Pant previously represented Delhi from 2016 to 2024 before joining Lucknow Super Giants.

The team are also expected to retain Tristan Stubbs, Sameer Rizvi and Mukesh Kumar as part of their core group. Among the other overseas options, David Miller and Pathum Nissanka could retain their places to strengthen the batting department.

Lungi Ngidi also provides another pace-bowling option. Players such as Abishek Porel, Ashutosh Sharma and Nitish Rana are likely to remain in the plans. Auqib Nabi Dar, Sahil Parakh, Madhav Tiwari and Ajay Jadav Mandal are also among the players who could continue with the franchise.

Delhi Capitals' predicted retained players list:

Rishabh Pant (Traded), Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Tristan Stubbs, Mukesh Kumar, Nitish Rana, Pathum Nissanka, David Miller, Abishek Porel, Auqib Nabi Dar, Ashutosh Sharma, Sameer Rizvi, Lungi Ngidi, Zeeshan Ansari (Traded), Sahil Parakh, Madhav Tiwari, Vipraj Nigam, and Ajay Jadav Mandal.

Which DC Players Could Be Released Before IPL 2027?

The franchise could release several players who have struggled to secure regular opportunities or face competition for places in the playing XI. The overseas combination will also influence their decisions, particularly with uncertainty surrounding Mitchell Starc's availability.

Starc is one of the biggest names to watch ahead of the auction. The Australian fast bowler had not yet decided whether he would participate in IPL 2027. If he opts out, the team will have to find another experienced fast-bowling option.

English players Ben Duckett and Rehan Ahmed could also enter the auction pool. The management may reassess their roles while deciding how many overseas players they need to retain for the next season.

Delhi Capitals' Predicted released players list:

Karun Nair, Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Starc, Kyle Jamieson, Dushmantha Chameera, Tripurana Vijay, Ben Duckett and Rehan Ahmed.

How Delhi Capitals Could Build Their Squad for the Next Season

Delhi Capitals will need to strengthen a few important areas before the IPL 2027 season. Their recent trades have changed the balance of the bowling attack, while the management must also ensure sufficient depth in the batting department.

With Kuldeep Yadav and T. Natarajan moving out through separate trades, Delhi have lost two experienced bowling options. Mitchell Starc's uncertain availability adds another concern. DC could target an overseas fast bowler or an Indian pacer who can provide consistency across different phases of an innings.

Zeeshan Ansari's arrival gives Delhi another option, but the franchise will need sufficient depth to support Axar Patel. Adding a quality spinner at the auction could help the team control the middle overs, particularly on slower pitches where spin becomes important.

The management will need to select overseas players who complement its Indian core. The IPL 2027 retention and release deadline has reportedly been extended to November 17, while the mini-auction is scheduled for December 16 in Goa.