Axar Patel Out? Players To Be Released By Delhi Capitals Before IPL 2027
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The Delhi Capitals Rebuild: A Season of Reflection
The Delhi Capitals find themselves in the all-too-familiar position of ending an IPL season without reaching the playoffs. On a Sunday evening in Kolkata, the final curtain fell on their 2026 campaign. Their fate was sealed when the Punjab Kings secured an away victory against the Lucknow Super Giants, officially eliminating the Capitals from contention just before the league phase concluded.
Despite assembling what many analysts considered a high-quality squad during the auction, the team failed to find its rhythm. A combination of individual underperformances and questionable tactical decisions prevented the side from building any meaningful momentum. Perhaps most damning was their home record at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where they lost five out of seven matches—including a heart-breaking loss where they defended a massive total of 264 runs in the first innings.
As they approach their final clash against the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, the team sits in 12th place with 12 points from 13 matches. While a win could potentially lift them to fifth place depending on other results, it would offer little more than consolation. The focus now shifts entirely to the future and the necessary changes required for the 2027 season.
Analyzing the Potential Squad Overhaul
The primary question circulating among the fanbase is: Is Axar Patel Out? Players To Be Released By Delhi Capitals Before IPL 2027 are currently the subject of intense speculation. The management is expected to be ruthless in its approach to clearing the wage bill and bringing in fresh talent to revitalize the roster. Here is a look at the players currently in the firing line.
1. Karun Nair
Karun Nair arrived at the franchise with promise, backed by solid domestic form during the IPL 2025 mega auction. He had a memorable outing against the Mumbai Indians where he smashed 89 off 40 balls, displaying his ability to take on elite bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah. However, his overall returns have been underwhelming. Over 10 innings spanning the 2025 and 2026 seasons, Nair accumulated only 216 runs at an average of 21.60. With a strike rate of 175.60, the flashes of brilliance simply were not enough to justify his spot. Given the depth in the squad with options like Sameer Rizvi, Sahil Parakh, Abishek Porel, and Nitish Rana, the Capitals are likely to release Nair to free up INR 50 Lakhs in their auction purse.
2. T Natarajan
The veteran pacer T Natarajan, once a rising star with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, has struggled to regain his former peak. Following a series of injury-plagued years, he was supported by the DC management through the 2026 season. Unfortunately, the gamble did not pay off. At 35, Natarajan played 10 matches in 2026 but managed only 5 wickets, with three of those coming in a single appearance against the Lucknow Super Giants. Conceding runs at a concerning economy rate of 11.18 per over, his impact has waned significantly. Releasing him would add a substantial INR 10.75 crore back into the team’s budget, allowing them to invest in younger, more durable bowling talent.
3. Mukesh Kumar
Mukesh Kumar has been a mainstay in the DC bowling unit, serving as their third-highest wicket-taker over the last two seasons with 18 wickets in 22 matches. While he is capable of testing top-order batsmen with his precise Test-match lines, his lack of consistency and high economy rate are major drawbacks. Since the start of the 2025 season, his economy rate has sat at 10.74, and in 2026, it climbed further to 11.26 while picking up only 6 wickets in 10 innings. With the emergence of players like Auqib Nabi, it is increasingly likely that the Capitals will look for a more economical pacer. Moving on from Mukesh Kumar would grant the franchise an additional INR 8 crore to work with in the upcoming auction.
Looking Ahead to 2027
By parting ways with these three individuals, the Delhi Capitals could potentially free up a total of INR 19.25 crore. This capital will be vital as the franchise looks to address the structural issues that plagued them throughout 2026. Whether or not the core leadership remains intact, it is clear that a significant shake-up is on the horizon. The supporters are eager to see if the management can translate this financial flexibility into a balanced and winning squad for the next edition of the IPL.
