As the Indian Premier League approaches its 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi, Delhi Capitals CEO Sunil Gupta has outlined the franchise’s strategic vision for building a competitive squad. The JSW and GMR co-owned franchise enters the December 16 auction with eight slots to fill and a remaining purse of ₹21.80 crore, including five overseas positions.
The team has completed a significant pre-auction trade with Rajasthan Royals, acquiring experienced left-handed batsman Nitish Rana in exchange for Donovan Ferreira. Gupta emphasized Rana’s value as a seasoned IPL campaigner and local talent, noting his familiarity with home conditions and previous franchise experience make him an ideal addition to the Capitals’ lineup.
From the initial pool of 1,390 registered players, organizers have shortlisted 350 candidates—240 Indian and 110 overseas players—including 224 uncapped Indian talents and 14 uncapped international prospects, providing substantial depth to this year’s selection process.
Gupta confirmed the retention of a solid core group from last season despite narrowly missing playoff qualification. He characterized the previous campaign as filled with valuable learnings that will inform their approach going forward. The scouting team has conducted extensive preparations, and management has identified specific targets to address remaining squad requirements.
While promising aggressive bidding where necessary, Gupta emphasized the importance of maintaining flexibility during the dynamic auction process. The franchise leadership has arrived in Abu Dhabi fully prepared to navigate the complexities of player acquisition while staying focused on their ultimate objective of building a championship-caliber team.