Delhi Capitals sign Rehan Ahmed as replacement for Ben Duckett for IPL 2026

While the IPL 2026 has arrived in the mid-season, the IPL 2020 runners-up Delhi Capitals have announced their replacement for the English cricketer Ben Duckett. The 21-year-old English leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has replaced Duckett for the remainder of the IPL 2026.

In the IPL 2026 auction, Rehan Ahmed had the base price of INR 75 lakh. While the English youngster remained unsold in that auction, DC have now selected him for the replacement of the English left-handed opening batter Ben Duckett. 

The Leicestershire leggie Rehan has been expected to feature in the upcoming home Test series against New Zealand in June. However, despite having the central contract, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has given NOC for Rehan to experience the IPL 2026 for DC.

Former English cricketer and present Leicestershire's Director of Cricket, Claude Henderson said, "We are absolutely delighted for Rehan and incredibly proud as a club to see him earn this opportunity. To see one of our own stepping onto one of the biggest stages in world cricket is a fantastic moment for us all. We're excited to watch him go and express himself, and we'll be right behind him every step of the way before welcoming him back to Leicester."

Delhi Capitals are currently in the sixth position in the IPL 2026 points table with six points in six games. While they have recorded three wins and three losses this season, DC won only once in their last four games. They will play their next game on Saturday afternoon (April 25), when they will host Punjab Kings. 

See Also: IPL 2026: CSK sign MI star as Ayush Mhatre's replacement ahead of MI vs CSK clash

Why did Ben Duckett pull out of IPL 2026?

In the IPL 2026 auction, Delhi Capitals signed the English left-handed opening batter Ben Duckett for INR 4 crore. However, just before the IPL 2026, the English cricketer opted out of the tournament citing personal reasons. While he had a poor run in the Ashes 2025-26 in the Australia tour, Duckett is more focused on saving his Test cricket career. However, by avoiding the IPL 2026 without any significant reason, Duckett has risked his IPL career, as he can face a two-year ban according to the latest rules. 

Rehan Ahmed's importance in Delhi Capitals

With Rehan Ahmed, Delhi Capitals have strengthened their spin-bowling attack. The franchise already has the experienced Indian names in the spin-bowling option, as the skipper Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. Vipraj Nigam and Tripurana Vijay are the other young spin-bowling options for the franchise, while the 21-year-old Rehan secures the overseas quota for the franchise. 

It is going to be Rehan's first IPL season. However, he has already experienced Vitality Blast, Men's Hundred, the Australian Big Bash League (BBL), and the UAE's International League T20 (ILT20). Rehan has recorded 85 wickets in 97 T20s, including 15 wickets in 13 T20Is for England. He has also played five Tests and nine ODIs, while recording 22 and 12 wickets, respectively. 

Rehan is also a fearless lower-order batter who has hit two half-centuries in his T20 career. In his first-class career, Rehan has scored 2077 runs in 65 innings with an average of 32.96, including six centuries and nine half-centuries.