How DC could generate 24 crores for IPL 2026 mini auction by releasing 4 flopstars

Players DC could release [Source: AFP Photo]

The day is coming closer as the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 retention deadline will take place on Saturday, November 15, as all ten sides will aim to keep their best players in the squad and will release the unwanted stars before the mini auction next month. The retentions allow franchises to get extra money for the mini auction, but for that, they need to smartly release the players to get the maximum amount.

One of the IPL franchises that desperately needs a mini auction is the Delhi Capitals, who need to fill in the loopholes from last season. They also have quite a few unwanted players whom the franchises could release to generate some money. 

1) Jake Fraser-McGurk (9 crore)

The Australian star, Jake Fraser-McGurk had a phenomenal 2024 IPL season where he became the breakout star for the franchise. The Capitals once again acquired him for IPL 2025 by using the RTM card for 9 crore, and it turned out to be their biggest mistake.

(JFM in IPL 2025)

• Just 55 runs in 6 matches, with a strike rate of 105, and an average of 9.17 sums up his IPL 2025 performance. He was dismal at the top and this affected the DC playing combination.
• If the franchise releases him, they would get back 9 crores and DC could use the money to buy a solid opener for next season.

2) T Natarajan (10.75 crore)

DC pinned their hopes on T Natarajan to carry their bowling lineup as the franchise spent a whopping 10.75 crore to get his services, but in a surprising turn of events, the left-armer only played a solitary match and was injured for almost the entirety of the campaign.

Why should DC keep a player who only played one match and was paid 10.75 crore? Moreover, in the only game that he played, T Natarajan conceded runs at nearly 17 runs per over, and hence, the franchise might want to cash in on him and get the amount back to spend on other loopholes.

3) Mohit Sharma (2.2 crore)

The DC bowling let them down last season, and apart from T Natarajan, another player who had a disappointing outing was Mohit Sharma. The former CSK star had a horrendous season, and DC suffered as the team leaked runs for fun.

(Mohit Sharma in IPL 2025)

• Just 2 wickets in eight matches, with an economy of 10.28, Mohit Sharma had a season to forget as the batters took him down with ease.
• He is moving towards the twilight of his career, and DC could cash in on him to strengthen the bowling department with a younger option.

4) Faf du Plessis (2 crore)

The franchise could also release Faf du Plessis, who failed to live up to his lofty standards in IPL 2025. The franchise could also release Faf du Plessis, who failed to live up to his lofty standards in IPL 2025. He was bought in the mega auction for 2 crores, but just like JFM, Du Plessis turned out to be a big miss.

(Du Plessis in IPL 2025)

• Just 202 runs in nine matches with a strike rate of 123, du Plessis struggled for runs and DC could be tempted to release him.

If the Capitals release the above-mentioned players before the mini auction, their purse value will increase up to 23.95 crore, and with that money, the team could fill in the loopholes.

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