As the countdown begins for the IPL 2026 mini-auction on December 16th in Abu Dhabi, the Delhi Capitals (DC) franchise is poised to make calculated moves to fill their remaining eight slots, five of which are for overseas players. With a war chest of INR 21.8 crore, DC are among the teams with a healthy purse, positioning them to target high-impact players.
The Capitals, looking to strengthen their middle order, fast bowling, and all-round options, are expected to aggressively pursue a mix of proven internationals and strong domestic talents. Here is a breakdown of some high-value players the Delhi Capitals could target at the auction, including a snapshot of their recent T20 performance in 2025.
5 players that Delhi Capitals can go for in IPL 2026 mini auction
1) Steve Smith (Overseas batter)
- Role: Top/Middle-Order Anchor and Tactical Leader
Steve Smith offers immense value as a world-class accumulator and a strategic voice. Given DC’s need for an experienced batter who can anchor the innings and bat through the middle overs, Smith’s consistency and ability to adapt to varying pitches make him an ideal candidate.
His consistent anchoring (demonstrated by his high 2025 average) would provide much-needed stability to the top four, allowing the aggressive players around him to express themselves freely. Securing Smith would utilize a crucial overseas slot for a top-tier performer.
2) Sarfaraz Khan (Indian batter)
- Role: Explosive Middle-Order Indian Batter
Sarfaraz Khan is a name expected to attract fierce bidding, particularly from teams like DC looking for an impactful Indian middle-order batter. His phenomenal domestic T20 record and ability to accelerate late in the innings could solve DC’s occasional struggles post-powerplay.
His performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) in late 2025, which included a scintillating 100 off 47 balls, highlights his match-winning capability and explosive strike rate, making him a high-potential domestic investment.
3) Gerald Coetzee (Overseas fast bowler)
- Role: Pace Spearhead and Death Over Specialist
The young South African pacer, Gerald Coetzee, is a high-demand commodity due to his genuine pace, aggression, and proficiency in death overs. DC is constantly seeking a reliable overseas fast bowler.
Though his IPL 2025 run was cut short by injury, his ability to take crucial wickets in the middle (evident from his 2/32 figure in the SA20) remains his core value. His addition would significantly bolster DC’s pace battery and provide a valuable overseas bowling option.
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4) Venkatesh Iyer (Indian all-rounder)
- Role: Batting All-rounder/Finisher
Venkatesh Iyer, an established Indian all-rounder, will be a high-priority target. His primary value lies in his destructive left-handed batting in the middle-order and the utility of his medium-pace bowling. Iyer’s impact, particularly the 45 (29) and 60 (29) scores in IPL 2025, shows his capacity for game-changing innings. While his bowling was used less frequently, his potential as a batting all-rounder provides DC with crucial balance and depth.
5. David Miller (Overseas finisher)
- Role: Power Hitter and Finisher
David Miller, known as ‘Killer Miller,’ remains one of the most reliable overseas finishers in the world. With DC often requiring a big hitter to close out innings, Miller’s experience and explosive strike rate would be invaluable. His average of 58.50 in the SA20 2025 highlights his exceptional finishing ability, often remaining unbeaten to guide his team home. His consistent match-winning performances in that tough role make him a calculated risk worth taking for a team aiming to maximize their scoring potential in the final overs.
Also READ: 5 players Chennai Super Kings (CSK) can target in the IPL 2026 mini-auction
