Delhi Capitals (DC) won seven matches and lost as many in the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). They finished at No. 5 on the points table,
just outside the top four. Under Axar Patel's leadership, the Delhi-based franchise looked set to reach the playoffs for a significant portion of the tournament. However, they lost four out of their last six matches to crash out of the competition before the playoffs.
DC will look to take the positives from the IPL 2025 campaign and go the distance in the impending edition next year. Ahead of the mini-auction before the season, the Capitals might offload some players through trade and free up their purse. This could enable them to go after some star-studded players in the mini-auction, who could bolster their line-up.
On this note, let's take a look at three players Delhi Capitals might trade before the IPL 2026 Auction:
3 players Delhi Capitals might trade before IPL 2026 Auction
3. Jake Fraser-McGurk
Jake Fraser-McGurk was signed by Delhi Capitals (DC) at the IPL 2025 mega auction for a whopping INR 9 crore. However, the right-handed batter failed to live up to the reputation he built for himself in the previous season. He opened for DC in their first six games but aggregated single-digit scores in five of them, with a highest score of 38. The young Australian only registered 55 runs before being benched.
Fraser-McGurk returned home during the break in IPL due to the rising tensions between India and Pakistan amid Operation Sindoor. When the IPL resumed, the 23-year-old decided not to return, and DC replaced him with Mustafizur Rahman. DC would likely want to release the youngster, as INR 9 crore could help them go after a few in-form players in the mini auction.
2. T Natarajan
T Natarajan was roped in by DC for a very high price of INR 10.75 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction. He was expected to play a key role for the franchise. However, he was dealing with a shoulder injury, which kept him out for some games. Even when he was fit, the team management did not seem too keen on having the left-arm pacer in the playing XI.
As a result, Natarajan played only one game, conceding 49 runs in three overs, and didn't have any wickets to show for his efforts. The Capitals might want to release him or trade him to another team ahead of the auction and go for someone who they feel can add more value to the line-up.
1. KL Rahul
KL Rahul was among the hot picks in the IPL 2025 mega auction. The Capitals acquired his services for INR 14 crore. It was expected that he would be named captain of the side, but he reportedly refused to take up the role. He subsequently played under the leadership of Axar Patel. Rahul played an aggressive brand of cricket, abandoning his controversial caution-first approach for the first time in many seasons in the IPL.
Rahul finished the season with 539 runs from 13 matches at an average of 53.90 and a strike rate of 149.72. While it seems that a player with such strong performances should be among the top retentions for the upcoming season, reports suggest otherwise. Rahul has been linked with several franchises, which are reportedly trying to trade him in from the Delhi Capitals. Whether he ends up shifting base will be discovered over the next few weeks; it goes without saying that his inclusion will make any side stronger.
