"DC will go for Quinton de Kock" - Former Indian opener's huge claim with KL Rahul connection ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth backed the Delhi Capitals (DC) to go all-out for South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock in the upcoming IPL 2026 auction. The 32-year-old endured a poor IPL 2025 season with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), scoring 152 runs at an average of 22 in eight games.

It resulted in the franchise releasing him despite his 115-match experience in the IPL. Yet, Srikkanth believes the presence of KL Rahul in DC will be a key factor in them going for the South African in the auction, considering the pair's successful association with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) from 2022 to 2024.

Talking about the De Kock-DC fit in the build-up to the auction, Srikkanth said on Star Sports (20:01):

"DC will go for Quinton de Kock. KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock formed a fantastic partnership in LSG. Because Rahul is in Delhi, they'll go for Quinton de Kock. So the combination of KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock in the top three will be good for them. The small ground in Delhi will suit Quinton de Kock."

Rahul and De Kock hold the IPL record for the highest opening partnership in an innings of 210 for LSG against KKR. The latter enjoyed one of his best IPL seasons in 2022, finishing with 508 runs at a strike rate of almost 149 in 15 matches.

De Kock has reversed his international retirement and is currently playing the ongoing T20I series in India.

DC endured a poor IPL 2025 campaign after a strong start

DC endured another poor IPL season this year despite an excellent start of four wins in as many games. However, the freefall started with their first loss in the fifth match.

The side eventually finished with only seven wins from 14 outings, resulting in a fifth-place finish in the standings. DC released as many as seven players in the off-season, including the trade of Donovan Ferreira to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) for Nitish Rana. They will enter the IPL 2026 auction with a purse of ₹21.80 crore, having missed the playoffs in the last four seasons.

The one-day auction will take place in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16.