3 openers DC should target at IPL 2026 Auction as KL Rahul's partner ft. Ben Duckett

As the IPL 2026 auction, scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi, draws closer, the Delhi Capitals (DC) will be on the lookout for a new opening partner for KL Rahul. On November 15, when all 10 IPL teams announced their lists of retained and released players, DC parted ways with Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk, both of whom frequently opened the innings. This makes the addition of a specialist opener a key priority for the franchise.

Although KL Rahul began the 2025 season in the middle order, he was promoted to No. 3 midway through the tournament and eventually moved up to open in the final three matches, where he also scored a century.

Rahul has an outstanding record as an IPL opener, with 4418 runs in 103 innings at an average of 49.64 and a strike rate of 138.15, including 36 fifties and five centuries. Given these numbers, DC are almost certain to back him at the top of the order and will now need to find the right partner for him at the auction.

On that note, here is a look at three openers Delhi Capitals should target at the IPL 2026 auction to pair with KL Rahul.

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#1 Quinton de Kock

The first player on the list is Quinton de Kock, who was released by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The 32-year-old had a modest season, scoring 152 runs in eight innings at an average of 21.71 and a strike rate of 129.91, including one half-century.

Recently, he reversed his decision to retire from ODIs and T20Is and returned to international cricket in the white-ball series against Pakistan. He impressed immediately, winning the Player of the Series award in the 50-over format after scoring 239 runs in three innings, which included two fifties and a century.

With the wicketkeeper-batter back in international action, the Delhi Capitals might consider bringing their former player into the squad once again. De Kock previously represented DC from 2014 to 2016, playing 23 matches and scoring 720 runs at an average of 32.73 and a strike rate of 134.83, with five fifties and one century.

Overall, he has played 115 IPL matches, amassing 3309 runs at an average of 30.63 and a strike rate of 134.02, along with 24 fifties and two centuries. Considering his recent form and vast experience, DC should look at the South African opener as a strong candidate to partner KL Rahul at the top.

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#2 Ben Duckett

Next is arguably one of the most impressive openers across formats at the moment, England’s Ben Duckett. Although the southpaw went unsold in the 2025 mega auction and has yet to play in the IPL, DC should still consider bringing him into their squad, given his rise in international cricket.

Duckett has played 20 T20Is, scoring 527 runs at an average of 29.27 and a strike rate of 153.64, including three half-centuries. He also has valuable experience in franchise leagues such as The Hundred and the Big Bash League.

Overall, he has featured in 216 T20 matches, amassing 5397 runs at an average of 30.49 and a strike rate of 140.18, with 34 fifties to his name. The 31-year-old is known for his aggressive batting style and his ability to handle spin effectively. Considering his skill set and recent form, DC should target the England international in the upcoming auction.

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#3 Jonny Bairstow

The final player on the list is England’s Jonny Bairstow. The 36-year-old went unsold in the 2025 mega auction but later joined the Mumbai Indians (MI) as a temporary replacement for England all-rounder Will Jacks during the IPL 2025 playoffs. He played two matches, scoring 85 runs at an average of 42.50 and an impressive strike rate of 184.78.

DC could consider bringing in Bairstow to partner KL Rahul at the top, as his aggressive approach allows him to attack from the very first ball and put pressure on the opposition. Overall, Bairstow has featured in 52 IPL matches, scoring 1674 runs at an average of 34.87 and a strike rate of 146.07, along with nine fifties and two centuries. His vast experience and naturally attacking style make him a compelling option for DC to target in the upcoming season.