The Delhi Capitals squad coming out of the IPL 2026 auction is a textbook example of how shrewd buys can outperform brute spending. While several franchises burned through their purse chasing marquee names to fill up their IPL 2026 squads, DC quietly addressed multiple needs by snapping up proven international players at base price or near-base price.
The result is a deep, flexible, and well-balanced DC squad that looks far stronger than the sum of its auction spends. Three buys, in particular, stand out as outright steals and collectively explain why Delhi Capitals have emerged from the auction as one of the smartest operators.
David Miller: Experienced Finisher At Base Price For Delhi Capitals Squad
The first and most surprising steal of the IPL 2026 auction was David Miller for INR 2 crore, possibly the best among DC buys at the IPL 2026 auction.
That a player of Miller’s experience and pedigree went unchallenged says more about auction dynamics than his ability. For DC, it was an opportunity they seized instantly when he came before some of the big names in the auction. Miller adds calm, experience, and left-handed balance to the middle order, qualities that are invaluable over a long IPL season.
Beyond runs, Miller brings leadership and big-match temperament. His presence strengthens a middle order that already has stability, ensuring DC are not overly reliant on one finisher or one phase of the innings. For INR 2 crore, this is elite value and the perfect fill-in for Donovan Ferreira, whom they had traded to Rajasthan Royals.
Ben Duckett: Top-Order Stability in DC Squad
If Miller adds assurance at the back end, Ben Duckett does the same at the top.
Picked up for INR 2 crore, Duckett gives the DC squad a flexible top-order option who can either open or bat at No.3. He plays spin well, rotates strike efficiently, and doesn’t force Delhi into a rigid batting structure.
Duckett’s value lies in what he allows DC to do. Only one of Duckett or Pathum Nissanka needs to start, giving the Capitals freedom to adjust their overseas combination based on conditions. If Duckett struggles, DC can pivot to KL Rahul, who can be brought up to the top, and Prithvi Shaw while strengthening the bowling with an extra overseas pacer.
Prithvi Shaw: Low Risk, High Upside
The third steal, quietly tucked away, is Prithvi Shaw for INR 75 lakh.
At that price, the risk is minimal, but the upside is enormous. Shaw still offers powerplay explosiveness that few Indian batters can match. In a setup where he is not expected to carry the batting, DC can afford to back him selectively, play him when conditions suit, and move on quickly if they don’t.
For a squad already rich in batting depth, Shaw becomes an impact option, not a dependency, exactly how he should be used.
Why These Steals Transform The DC Squad
Individually, each of these buys is excellent value. Collectively, they elevate the Delhi Capitals squad into one of the most adaptable units in IPL 2026.
DC now have:
- Multiple top-order combinations without forcing compromises
- Experience and finishing depth in the middle order
- The ability to rotate overseas pacers like Ngidi or Jamieson without weakening batting
- Strong Indian backups to absorb form dips
Versatility is the defining feature here. DC can shift combinations based on form and conditions rather than being locked into a single XI.
The IPL 2026 auction wasn’t about who spent the most, it was about who spent the smartest. In David Miller, Ben Duckett, and Prithvi Shaw, Delhi Capitals secured three players who significantly outperform their price tags.
The DC squad now looks settled, deep, and tactically flexible. If execution matches planning, this could be the version of Delhi Capitals that finally converts promise into sustained success.
