The excitement for the Tata IPL 2026 Auction is growing. The big event, where teams fight to buy the best players, will take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi. A total of ten teams will take part in the IPL. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the defending champions.

As per the latest update, all ten franchises have confirmed their retained players for the 2026 season. A total of 173 players have been retained, including 49 overseas players.

Delhi Capitals will enter the IPL 2026 auction with a purse of Rs 21.80 crore. The Delhi-based team can sign eight more players in the auction, and they still have five overseas slots to fill.

Also Read -Watch: Virat Kohli celebrates as Ravindra Jadeja dismisses Temba Bavuma during IND vs SA 3rd ODI

Here is a look at five possible targets for DC in the IPL 2026 auction.

1. Rachin Ravindra

Rachin Ravindra is a good long-term option for the Delhi Capitals. He can replace Faf du Plessis at the top of the order. He plays aggressive cricket and can also bowl when needed. The New Zealand batter has played 18 IPL matches for CSK and has scored 413 runs.

2. Jamie Smith

Jamie Smith is another player Delhi Capitals can target in the auction as a top-order batter. He opens the innings for England in ODIs and has already shown his talent in international cricket. Smith has not played in the IPL yet, but he has featured in 97 T20 matches and scored 1,687 runs so far.

3. Shai Hope 

West Indies batter Shai Hope has been in great form recently, and the Delhi Capitals may want to sign him again in the auction. The West Indies ODI and T20I captain played nine matches for DC in IPL 2024 and scored 183 runs with a strike rate of 150.

4. Matheesha Pathirana

Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana is available in the IPL 2026 auction, and Delhi Capitals, like many other teams, may be interested in signing him. Pathirana has taken 47 wickets in 32 IPL matches played so far.

5. Gerald Coetzee

South Africa’s Gerald Coetzee is another pacer Delhi Capitals may target in the IPL 2026 auction. Coetzee has played 14 IPL matches for MI and GT and has taken 15 wickets.