When you think about it, doesn’t it pain you to see potential get wasted, all that talent go down the drain? It does, right? Well, the curious case of Delhi Capitals (DC) always missing the mark continues to be explored for another season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). This year, too, DC betrayed its fans, giving them hope in the initial phase of the season, and then robbing them of the dream to see DC lift the cup for just once. A squad with so much promise and all the right ingredients for a title-winning team, but failed to reach the finishing line. A classic DC story!
We’re everything because of you, our fans! 💙❤️
We’ll comeback stronger next season. Until then, thank you and see you soon 🫰 pic.twitter.com/DLxDcLHtJd
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) May 25, 2025
2025 DC Best Players：Names DC Can’t Afford to Lose
Anyhow, we aren’t here to rant about DC’s perpetual tendencies to falter towards the end of the tunnel. We are here to honour those who became the flagbearers of the little ray of hope that DC displayed this season. Without further ado, let’s get started with the 2025 DC best players who just might, scratch that, will make it to the 2026 DC retained list.
𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗞𝗟𝗥 𝟮.𝟬 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/h3HHXMwKkM
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) April 10, 2025
1. KL Rahul
Can anyone claim that this guy didn’t give it his all this season, or that he didn’t go above and beyond for his team? And that celebration after every win and every knock was not just indicative of any personal achievement or dominance, for that matter, but was a declaration of war on behalf of his team. If only his fellow teammates had shared even a spark of his fire.
His efforts were criminally laid to waste by his fellow batters in the top order. They couldn’t lend a hand at the right moments, and as a result, Rahul’s burden kept on increasing until he couldn’t bear it.
However, he did all he could on his own, and he has the numbers to show for it. He has amassed 539 runs from 13 games at an amazing average of 53.90. He launched 52 boundaries and 21 maximums at a fiery strike rate of 149.72. Moreover, his highest score this season was 112*, which, by the way, was a magnificent knock.
𝐊𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐰𝐧 👌
An unbeaten 57* (42) from KL Rahul gets him a well-deserved milestone 👏
Relive his knock ▶️ https://t.co/o6H822E91a#TATAIPL | #LSGvDC | @DelhiCapitals | @klrahul pic.twitter.com/hGDRuFviYA
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 22, 2025
He achieved all this without getting any meaningful support from his comrades. So, the million-dollar question is – can you keep him off the 2026 DC retained list after all this? No, sir, you cannot! He is one of the 2025 DC best players, and he will be back in red and blue next season. It’s a sure thing!
2. Axar Patel
This might be a conjectural pick, but it’s happening. Believe it or not, DC isn’t going to drop Axar even if he failed to deliver this season. One bad season isn’t going to ruin the years of bond between the player and the team. Plus, an all-rounder like him, you can’t risk letting him slip. It might backfire on them.
Glad to have you lead us, skipper 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/mXtmlyeERw
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 24, 2025
It remains a fact that this gentleman here is one of the greatest all-rounders amongst the current crop of players, especially in white-ball cricket. He has stood up when the going got tough and delivered in the most adverse conditions. So, whether you like it or not, he is making it to the 2026 DC retained list. After all, it was his first outing as captain, and being a captain is not a small feat in a big tournament like the IPL. And there’s always the possibility that he will bounce back from this, just like Shubman Gill did this season.
3. Kuldeep Yadav
What happened with KL Rahul in the batting order is the same story of Kuldeep Yadav in the bowling department. He did his level best and, along with taking wickets, also restricted valuable runs from flowing to the enemy camp. But didn’t get much support from fellow bowlers, and as a result, his efforts were rendered useless.
Prime Kuldeep in action 😮💨pic.twitter.com/4go4mCSuV2
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) April 13, 2025
Has taken 15 scalps from 14 games – the highest for DC – at an economy of 7.08 – the lowest from DC. Now, imagine if his fellow bowlers had assisted him well enough, how much more effective he could’ve been. Just imagine! With such herculean efforts, he’s made a place among the 2025 DC best players and will be an easy choice for the 2026 DC retained list.
4. Vipraj Nigam
Essentially a spin bowler, but has been effective with the bat as well when it mattered the most. He, on many occasions, tried to lend a hand to Kuldeep Yadav and was appreciated for his efforts every now and then. So, we can safely say that it was quite an impressive debut for the bowler.
164 days ago: Made his First-class debut.
Today: Makes his IPL debut 💙❤️Go well, Vipraj 👊 pic.twitter.com/PEPqZf2leP
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 24, 2025
He clinched 11 wickets from 14, which is respectable for a debutant. Although his average and economy are a bit on the higher side, if the Delhi management decides to support and nurture this young talent, then he just might prove to be their greatest asset. Who knows? It will be a huge gamble for the team; however, there are strong chances that we’ll see him on the 2026 DC retained list. An exciting prospect for Delhi, to be honest!
Conclusion
It’s high time that DC moves on from this learning phase of theirs, which has been going on for 18 long years. They should’ve been by now at least a regular feature of the playoffs. But that, too, seems far off from their offering. Hopefully, they will get it right in the next season, and that starts with getting the 2026 DC retained list bang on point. To accomplish this, they must include the 2025 DC best players, or the list wouldn’t make any sense.
