From KL Rahul To Axar Patel: Delhi Capitals Player Ratings For IPL 2026
A Season of Unfulfilled Potential
Another season has come and gone, and the Delhi Capitals remain in pursuit of their elusive first IPL title. Nineteen seasons into the tournament’s history, the franchise remains trophyless despite assembling what appeared to be one of the most formidable squads on paper heading into the 2026 season. The campaign began with a glimmer of hope as the team secured two consecutive victories to kick off their journey. However, a catastrophic mid-season slump, where the team dropped five out of six matches, effectively derailed their momentum.
While a late surge of three consecutive wins pushed them to a sixth-place finish with 14 points, the damage had already been done. Even captain Axar Patel conceded that the playoffs dream had faded long before the final league day. Inconsistent performances and tactical shortcomings defined their year. Below, we break down the individual performances of the squad.
The Star Performers
KL Rahul (9/10): The standout performer of the campaign. Rahul anchored the batting unit with authority and consistency, proving his worth as a premier marquee player despite the team’s overall struggle.
Madhav Tiwari (8/10) and Lungi Ngidi (8/10): Both bowlers provided much-needed stability. Tiwari showed immense maturity for his role, while Ngidi was a constant threat with the new ball and during the death overs.
Mitchell Starc (7/10) and Ashutosh Sharma (7/10): Starc delivered the pace and experience expected of him, while Ashutosh provided crucial middle-order cameos that kept the Capitals competitive in several tight finishes.
Mid-Tier Contributions
Sameer Rizvi (6/10) and Pathum Nissanka (6/10): Both players showed flashes of brilliance but lacked the consistency required to turn narrow defeats into victories. Their potential is clear, but their execution remained sporadic throughout the tournament.
David Miller (5/10) and Abishek Porel (5/10): Expectations were higher for these two, particularly given their match-winning pedigree. While they contributed in spurts, neither was able to shoulder the load during the team’s mid-season crisis.
Underperformers and Tactical Gaps
Axar Patel (4/10), Mukesh Kumar (4/10), T. Natarajan (4/10), and Nitish Rana (4/10): A disappointing return for several established names. Axar Patel struggled to lead from the front, both as an all-rounder and as a captain, while the bowling trio of Kumar, Natarajan, and Rana failed to contain opposition batters at critical junctures.
Tristan Stubbs (4/10): Known for his explosive power-hitting, Stubbs failed to find his rhythm, leaving a significant void in the lower-middle order.
Kuldeep Yadav (3/10): A tough season for the spinner, who was unable to replicate his usual wicket-taking magic, resulting in a lack of pressure in the middle overs.
Looking Toward 2027
Several players, including Kyle Jamieson (2/10), Sahil Parakh (2/10), Vipraj Nigam (1/10), Dushmantha Chameera (1/10), Tripurana Vijay (1/10), Auqib Nabi (1/10), and Karun Nair (1/10), struggled significantly. These ratings reflect a collective failure to adapt to the pressure of the tournament. With the off-season now underway, the management faces difficult decisions regarding player retention and squad overhaul.
The Delhi Capitals must now reflect on this campaign to ensure that the next cycle of the IPL brings the success their supporters crave. Stability, better tactical decision-making, and identifying core match-winners will be the pillars for their recovery. The quest for the trophy continues, and the upcoming auctions will be pivotal in shaping the future of the franchise.
