The ultimate prize of lifting the IPL trophy continues to elude the Delhi Capitals, who remain title-less even after 18 long seasons in the cash-rich league. To make matters worse, the franchise has failed to qualify for the Playoffs in each of the last four seasons, despite putting together a strong squad in 2025.

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Four Players Might Be Released by DC

The Capitals began their 2025 campaign on a promising note but faltered towards the business end, eventually finishing 5th on the points table, missing out on a Playoff berth by just one point behind the Mumbai Indians. With patience running thin, the DC management is reportedly unhappy with the team’s performance and is expected to make some bold changes ahead of the next season. As the 2026 auction approaches, several names are under the scanner for the 2026 DC Released Players. Here’s a look at the likely DC Released Players list for IPL 2026:

Jake Fraser McGurk

Role: Batter (Australia)

Jake Fraser-McGurk, the swashbuckling Aussie batter, hit the peak of his game early in his career. However, as bowlers across the world began to exploit his weaknesses, his form gradually dipped, affecting his overall impact. Brought into the Delhi Capitals camp as a replacement for Lungi Ngidi, McGurk lit up his debut IPL season in 2024, smashing 330 runs at a staggering strike rate of 234.04. His fearless batting quickly made headlines and established him as one of the most exciting young prospects in the tournament.

Jake Fraser McGurk’s Batting in IPL 2025

Riding on that success, he attracted a hefty ₹9 crore bid at the 2025 auction. But expectations soon turned into disappointment as the 23-year-old faltered badly, managing only 55 runs in 6 innings at a dismal average of 9.16. Given his poor returns and high price tag, the DC management may no longer see value in retaining him. As a result, Fraser-McGurk is likely to be one of the first names on the 2026 DC Released Players list.

Mohit Sharma

Role: Bowler (India)

The Haryana pacer has had a roller-coaster journey in Indian cricket. Mohit Sharma represented India in 31 ODIs and 8 T20Is between 2013 and 2015, and until 2017, he was regarded as one of the more reliable seamers in the domestic circuit. However, a dip in form and fitness saw him fade away from the spotlight. With no buyers in the 2021 and 2022 IPL seasons, Mohit kept his spirits high, working as a net bowler for the Gujarat Titans in 2022. That perseverance paid off when GT drafted him into their squad in 2023, where he scripted a remarkable comeback, bagging 27 wickets in 14 matches. He followed it up with another steady season in 2024, picking up 13 wickets and proving he still had plenty to offer.

Mohit Sharma’s Bowling in IPL 2025

Encouraged by his revival, Delhi Capitals secured his services at the 2025 auction for ₹2.2 crore. Unfortunately, Mohit couldn’t replicate his earlier success, managing just 2 wickets in 8 matches while conceding runs at a steep economy of 10.28. With DC eager to rebuild and invest in younger bowling options, it is highly unlikely that Mohit Sharma will be retained. Going by his recent numbers, he is almost certain to feature in the DC Released Players List.

Dushmantha Chameera

Role: Bowler (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lankan speedster Dushmantha Chameera is among the rare bowlers from his country capable of consistently clocking above 140 kmph. That raw pace caught the attention of the Delhi Capitals management, who signed him for a modest ₹75 lakh, making him one of the two overseas pacers in the squad alongside Mitchell Starc. Chameera was given a fair run in the 2025 season, featuring in 6 matches, where he picked up 4 wickets. However, his tendency to leak runs proved costly, finishing with an expensive economy rate of 11.4.

Dushmantha Chameera’s Bowling in IPL 2025

With several young and promising pacers emerging globally, the Capitals are keen to reshape their strategy, prioritising budget-friendly youngsters and strengthening their spin department. In such a setup, Chameera is unlikely to be retained as the franchise prefers to keep only one overseas pace option in Starc. As a result, Dushmantha Chameera is expected to be among the names on the 2026 DC Released Players list.

Faf du Plessis

Role: Batter (South Africa)

At 41, Faf du Plessis is one of the high-profile names likely to feature in the 2026 DC Released Players. The former South African skipper last represented his country in 2021 and has since taken up the role of a freelance cricketer, plying his trade in T20 leagues across the globe. After being released by Royal Challengers Bangalore, Faf was surprisingly snapped up by Delhi Capitals at his base price of ₹2 crore in the 2025 auction. He contributed 202 runs in 9 innings at a strike rate of 123.92, steady numbers, but below expectations for a player of his calibre in such a high-stakes tournament.

Faf du Plessis’s Batting in IPL 2025

With the IPL getting more competitive every season, franchises are seeking younger, explosive batters to anchor their top order. Given the circumstances, Faf du Plessis looks unlikely to be retained for 2026.

Final Words

The Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, remain one of the unluckiest teams in the IPL, still chasing their maiden title after 18 seasons. Inconsistency has plagued them year after year, and the management is eager to script a revival. Releasing underperforming or ageing stars like Jake Fraser McGurk, Mohit Sharma, Dushmantha Chameera, and Faf du Plessis could be a step towards reshaping their squad for the future. Delhi is likely to lock the above-mentioned DC Released Players list.