Delhi Capitals could build their expected IPL 2027 retained players list around captain Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Tristan Stubbs and a strong group of Indian players. However, the franchise has not officially announced its final retention list yet. Harry Brook, despite featuring in Delhi’s IPL 2025 squad, was not included in the franchise’s official IPL 2026 retained-player list, so his return should not be assumed.
Delhi Capitals are also heading into IPL 2027 after some important squad changes. Rishabh Pant has returned to the franchise from Lucknow Super Giants, while Kuldeep Yadav has moved in the opposite direction. T. Natarajan has also moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad, with Zeeshan Ansari joining Delhi.
When Will Delhi Capitals Announce Their IPL 2027 Retained Players?
The official IPL 2027 retention list is still awaited. Until Delhi Capitals and the BCCI release the final announcement, all retention predictions should be treated as expected rather than confirmed.
Delhi will likely assess its existing squad, player availability, overseas combinations and performance before making its final decisions. You can also follow our coverage of the IPL 2027 start date for the latest season updates.
DC Retained Players 2027 List (Expected)
Here is our expected Delhi Capitals retention list based on the previous official squad, available player movements and the team’s likely requirements.
| Player | Role | Expected Status |
|---|---|---|
| Axar Patel | All-rounder | Likely to retain |
| KL Rahul | Batter/Wicketkeeper | Likely to retain |
| Rishabh Pant | Wicketkeeper/Batter | Expected to retain |
| Tristan Stubbs | Batter | Likely to retain |
| Abhishek Porel | Wicketkeeper/Batter | Likely to retain |
| Sameer Rizvi | Batter | Expected to retain |
| Ashutosh Sharma | Batter | Expected to retain |
| Vipraj Nigam | All-rounder | Expected to retain |
| Mukesh Kumar | Fast Bowler | Expected to retain |
| Mitchell Starc | Fast Bowler | Availability uncertain |
| Nitish Rana | Batter | Expected to retain |
| Karun Nair | Batter | Retention uncertain |
| Dushmantha Chameera | Fast Bowler | Retention uncertain |
| Zeeshan Ansari | Spinner | Expected to retain |
| Madhav Tiwari | All-rounder | Retention uncertain |
| Ajay Mandal | All-rounder | Retention uncertain |
| Tripurana Vijay | All-rounder | Retention uncertain |
This is an editorial prediction, not an official list. Player availability, trades and the final auction rules could change the squad.
Will KL Rahul and Axar Patel Continue With Delhi Capitals?
KL Rahul and Axar Patel are among the most important players in Delhi’s expected 2027 plans.
Axar Patel has been leading the franchise and offers value with both bat and ball. His all-round abilities make him an important part of the team’s balance.
KL Rahul provides experience at the top of the batting order and can also take responsibility behind the stumps. Retaining him would give Delhi stability in its batting lineup.
The franchise is expected to build around this Indian core rather than make unnecessary changes to its top-order combination.
Is Rishabh Pant Returning to Delhi Capitals for IPL 2027?
Rishabh Pant’s return is one of the biggest developments in Delhi’s IPL 2027 squad planning. He has moved from Lucknow Super Giants to Delhi Capitals in a trade, with Kuldeep Yadav moving to LSG.
Pant’s return gives Delhi another experienced wicketkeeper-batter and a player familiar with the franchise. However, his arrival does not automatically mean a change in captaincy. Axar Patel remains the expected leader based on the available reports.
Will Harry Brook Join Delhi Capitals Again?
Harry Brook was part of Delhi Capitals’ IPL 2025 squad after being acquired at the auction. However, he was absent from the franchise’s official 17-player retained list for IPL 2026.
As of the latest information available, there is no verified announcement confirming his return to Delhi for IPL 2027. Therefore, Brook should be treated as an unconfirmed possibility rather than an expected retention.
Which Players Could Delhi Capitals Release Before IPL 2027?
Delhi Capitals may consider releasing players who have struggled to secure regular opportunities or whose roles overlap with other squad members.
Some names that could face uncertainty include:
| Player | Reason for Possible Release |
|---|---|
| Karun Nair | Competition for batting positions |
| Ajay Mandal | Uncertain role in the playing XI |
| Tripurana Vijay | Limited opportunities |
| Madhav Tiwari | Competition for all-rounder positions |
| Dushmantha Chameera | Overseas combination and squad balance |
| Mitchell Starc | IPL 2027 availability remains uncertain |
These are possible release candidates, not confirmed decisions. Starc’s availability deserves particular attention because a report in October 2026 indicated that he had not yet decided whether he would participate in IPL 2027.
Which Areas Do Delhi Capitals Need to Strengthen?
Delhi Capitals will need to address a few important areas before the next season.
1. Fast Bowling: With Kuldeep Yadav and T. Natarajan moving out, Delhi will need to reassess its bowling combination. Mitchell Starc’s availability is also an important factor.
2. Spin Bowling: The franchise needs sufficient spin options to support Axar Patel and maintain balance across different conditions.
3. Middle-Order Batting: Tristan Stubbs, Rishabh Pant and Sameer Rizvi could form an important part of the middle order, but Delhi may still look for additional batting depth.
4. Overseas Combination: The management will need to select overseas players carefully, especially if Starc’s participation is uncertain.
FAQs
1. Who are the expected retained players of DC for IPL 2027?
Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Tristan Stubbs, Abhishek Porel, Sameer Rizvi, Ashutosh Sharma and Mukesh Kumar are among the expected names.
2. Will KL Rahul play for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2027?
KL Rahul was part of Delhi’s official IPL 2026 retained squad and is expected to remain an important player, although the 2027 retention decision is not official yet.
3. Is Rishabh Pant back in Delhi Capitals?
Yes. Pant has returned to Delhi Capitals from Lucknow Super Giants through a reported confirmed trade ahead of IPL 2027.
4. Is Harry Brook part of Delhi Capitals’ expected 2027 squad?
There is no verified confirmation of Harry Brook returning to Delhi. He was not included in DC’s official IPL 2026 retained-player list.
5. Has Delhi Capitals announced its official IPL 2027 retention list?
No. The expected list in this article is based on available squad information and reported player movements. The official list is awaited.
Final Thoughts
Delhi Capitals could enter IPL 2027 with a strong Indian core featuring Axar Patel, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. The return of Pant adds another major batting option, while the departures of Kuldeep Yadav and T. Natarajan create important gaps in the bowling department.
The biggest question marks remain Mitchell Starc’s availability, the overseas combination and the players Delhi decide to release. The final retention announcement will provide a clearer picture of the team’s plans for IPL 2027.
