Because the countdown to IPL 2026 begins, the joy surrounding the Delhi Capitals (DC) have reached a fever pitch. Following a busy public sale the place the franchise made strategic strikes to repair their middle-order woes, former India cricketers Mohammad Kaif and Cheteshwar Pujara have weighed in with their predicted enjoying XIs. Whereas each specialists agree that the inclusion of KL Rahul supplies an enormous enhance, they continue to be divided on the best opening associate and the construction of the bowling assault.
DC are set to kick off their marketing campaign in opposition to the Lucknow Tremendous Giants (LSG) on the Ekana Stadium on Wednesday, April 1. After a rollercoaster 2025 season the place they narrowly missed the playoffs, the strain is on captain Axar Patel to guide a revamped facet to their maiden title.
Cheteshwar Pujara banks on an all-Indian opening duo and David Miller’s finisher function
Pujara’s imaginative and prescient for DC revolves round stability on the prime and explosive energy within the center. He has advocated for an all-Indian opening pair consisting of Rahul and the retained teen Abishek Porel. Curiously, Pujara has slotted the versatile Tristan Stubbs at No. 3 , a place the South African hasn’t historically occupied within the IPL however one that would permit him to dictate the tempo of the sport.
The spotlight of Pujara’s XI is the boldness he has proven in David Miller. DC secured the veteran South African for a cut price worth of ₹2 crore through the December public sale. Miller, who struggled with LSG in 2025, is seen by Pujara because the X-factor who can resolve Delhi’s historic middle-order collapses.
“He might be an important participant for them. He can change the sport at any time. If 70-80 runs are wanted off 30 deliveries, Miller can do this on Delhi’s dwelling floor,” Pujara famous throughout his evaluation on Star Sports activities.
Pujara’s predicted DC XI: KL Rahul, Abishek Porel, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Nitish Rana, Axar Patel, Ashutosh Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Starc, Mukesh Kumar/T Natarajan.
Additionally READ: IPL 2026: KL Rahul set for clear role as Delhi Capitals look for stability
Mohammad Kaif favours worldwide firepower with Pathum Nissanka
Mohammad Kaif, a former DC assistant coach, took a unique tactical route. He believes the franchise ought to capitalize on the red-hot type of Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka, who was purchased for ₹4 crore. Kaif envisions a formidable opening partnership between Nissanka and Rahul, which might pressure the Indian home skills additional down the order.
Kaif’s lineup additionally finds room for the hard-hitting Sameer Rizvi at No. 4, prioritizing youth and aggressive intent. In contrast to Pujara, Kaif opted to go away out Ashutosh Sharma to take care of a stability of left-handers within the lower-middle order with Miller and Axar Patel. Within the bowling division, Kaif expects T Natarajan and Mitchell Starc to guide the tempo battery alongside Mukesh Kumar, making a deadly death-bowling mixture.
Kaif’s predicted DC XI: KL Rahul, Pathum Nissanka, Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mitchell Starc, Mukesh Kumar.
With a well-rounded squad and the strategic trade-in of Nitish Rana, the Delhi Capitals seem to have essentially the most balanced roster they’ve fielded in years. Whether or not they stick with Pujara’s native stability or Kaif’s worldwide aptitude, the search for the 2026 trophy begins underneath the lights in Lucknow.
Additionally READ: Delhi Capitals rope in England legend as assistant coach ahead of IPL 2026
