Axar Patel Out? Players To Be Released By Delhi Capitals Before IPL 2027

The Delhi Capitals Conundrum: A Season of ‘What Ifs’

As the curtains draw on the IPL 2026 season, the Delhi Capitals find themselves in a familiar and frustrating position. Sunday evening in Kolkata marked the end of a campaign that promised much but delivered little. Despite putting together a squad packed with high-quality talent, the team failed to secure a playoff spot. The official exit came when the Punjab Kings defeated the Lucknow Super Giants, extinguishing any remaining mathematical hope for Delhi.

The root causes of this failure are manifold. A combination of inconsistent performances and tactical decisions that left pundits puzzled meant the Capitals could never sustain momentum. A particularly painful statistic from this season was their home record at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where they lost five out of seven encounters—including a match where they defended a massive total of 264 runs, only to see it slip away. With a final showdown against the Kolkata Knight Riders looming at Eden Gardens, the team sits in 12th place with 6 wins from 13 games. While a win could potentially lift them to 5th, it serves as little more than a consolation prize.

Rebuilding for IPL 2027: Who Is at Risk?

The conversation now shifts toward the future. With the mega auction dynamics in mind, the management must make tough calls. While the status of star players like Axar Patel remains a hot topic, several other names are firmly in the firing line. Here, we analyze the players who may be released as the Delhi Capitals look to refresh their roster.

1. Karun Nair

Karun Nair arrived at the Delhi Capitals with high expectations following a solid domestic run. His return included a memorable 89(40) against the Mumbai Indians, where he showcased his ability to handle world-class bowling like Jasprit Bumrah. However, consistency has been his greatest adversary. Across 10 innings in the last two seasons, Nair has managed just 216 runs at a modest average of 21.60 and a strike rate of 175.60. With the emergence of dynamic domestic talents like Sameer Rizvi, Sahil Parakh, Abishek Porel, and Nitish Rana, the Capitals have plenty of options at the No. 3 spot. Releasing Nair would free up INR 50L in the auction purse.

2. T Natarajan

The journey of T Natarajan has been one of great promise followed by significant adversity. After his breakout seasons with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, injuries hampered his progress. Despite his fitness concerns in 2025, the Capitals showed faith in him for 2026. Unfortunately, at 35, the left-arm pacer has struggled to find his rhythm, taking only 5 wickets in 10 matches this season with a concerning economy rate of 11.18. Given his high salary, offloading Natarajan would inject a massive INR 10.75 crore back into the team’s budget, allowing for investment in younger, fitter prospects.

3. Mukesh Kumar

Mukesh Kumar has been a mainstay in the bowling attack, picking up 18 wickets in 22 matches over the past two seasons. While he possesses the ability to trouble top-order batters with disciplined Test-match lines, his lack of economy has been detrimental. Since 2025, he has conceded runs at an economy rate of 10.74. In IPL 2026 specifically, his economy climbed to 11.26 while taking only 6 wickets in 10 innings. With the inclusion of players like Auqib Nabi, the Capitals may look to move on from Mukesh to find a more cost-effective and economical frontline pacer. His release would add another INR 8 crore to the purse.

The Road Ahead

In total, letting go of these three players would free up approximately INR 19.25 crore. For a franchise that has struggled to find the right balance, this capital is essential. The management must now balance the need for experience with the necessity of agility and consistency. As the team heads into the off-season, the question of whether this is the start of a complete overhaul or a strategic trim remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the fans in Delhi demand a team that can compete at the highest level, and the upcoming auction will be the first step toward regaining that glory.