Axar Patel Out? Players To Be Released By Delhi Capitals Before IPL 2027
On yet another quiet Sunday evening in Kolkata, the Delhi Capitals bowed out of the IPL 2026 season without so much as a sniff of the playoffs. Despite bold moves in the auction and a roster brimming with talent, inconsistency, poor home form, and tactical hiccups derailed their campaign. With six wins and seven losses, they sit at 12th on the points table — a far cry from where a team of their caliber should be.
As they prepare to face the Kolkata Knight Riders in their final match, the result is largely academic. What’s more pressing is the future. The big question being asked: Axar Patel Out? Players To Be Released By Delhi Capitals Before IPL 2027? With crucial decisions looming ahead of the next mega auction, Delhi is expected to undergo a significant squad overhaul. Let’s examine the players most at risk.
Karun Nair: Spark Fizzles Out
Karun Nair returned to the Delhi Capitals setup with promise. Bought at base price during the IPL 2025 mega auction, he initially turned heads with a blistering 89 off 40 balls against the Mumbai Indians — a knock where he fearlessly took on Jasprit Bumrah.
But that brilliance has not translated into consistent performances. Across 10 innings spanning IPL 2025 and 2026, Nair has managed just 216 runs at a strike rate of 175.60 and an average of 21.60. That one fifty remains his only substantial contribution.
Batting at number three — a pivotal position — his lack of durability hurts DC’s middle-order stability. With domestic talents like Sameer Rizvi, Sahil Parakh, Abishek Porel, and the experienced Nitish Rana pushing for spots, Delhi may choose to cut ties with Nair and free up INR 50 lakh for future investments.
T Natarajan: Past Prime?
Once one of the most reliable death bowlers in the IPL, T Natarajan’s journey has been derailed by injuries and fading form. The 35-year-old pacer, who once represented India across formats, played 10 matches in IPL 2026 but managed only 5 wickets at a costly economy rate of 11.18.
Interestingly, three of those wickets came in a single game against the Lucknow Super Giants (3/29), while his other outings yielded minimal returns. At his age and price point, such inconsistency is hard to justify for a team looking to build a long-term, competitive unit.
Releasing Natarajan would free up a massive INR 10.75 crore — funds that could be redirected toward younger, more dynamic pace options in the 2027 auction.
Mukesh Kumar: Consistency Concerns
Mukesh Kumar remains one of Delhi’s more prominent fast bowlers, ranking as their third-highest wicket-taker over the past two seasons with 18 scalps in 22 matches. On his day, he can reverse swing the ball and challenge top-order batters with disciplined lines.
Yet, his economy rate is a growing concern. Since IPL 2025, he’s conceded at 10.74 runs per over. In the current season, it’s climbed to 11.26, with just 6 wickets in 10 games. For a frontline pacer, that’s an inefficient return.
With emerging talent like Auqib Nabi showing promise, Delhi might see Mukesh as a candidate for release. Letting him go would unlock INR 8 crore — a valuable boost to their auction purse.
Financial Upside of Releases
Letting go of Karun Nair, T Natarajan, and Mukesh Kumar could free up a combined total of INR 19.25 crore. This financial flexibility would allow Delhi Capitals to target high-impact players in key roles — whether it’s a proven all-rounder, a power-hitting finisher, or a young fast bowler with long-term potential.
The big rumor, of course, remains Axar Patel Out? While not explicitly discussed in official circles, his potential exit symbolizes the shift Delhi may be contemplating — moving away from familiar names toward a leaner, more dynamic squad built for 2027 and beyond.
Another playoff miss means introspection isn’t just necessary — it’s urgent. The list of players to be released by Delhi Capitals before IPL 2027 could mark the start of a true transformation.
