“KL Rahul is not performing in the middle order” - Aakash Chopra on DC’s IPL 2026 auction plan

Former India batter Aakash Chopra has suggested that Delhi Capitals (DC) will need to acquire another player for their middle order during the IPL 2026 auction. He noted that during the 2025 season, KL Rahul struggled in the middle order and was eventually promoted to open the innings.

The 48-year-old added that the team needs a player to support Tristan Stubbs, as players like Karun Nair, Sameer Rizvi, and Ashutosh Sharma can play around him but have not been able to consistently shoulder responsibility. Speaking in a YouTube video, released on Friday, November 14, Aakash Chopra said:

“You will need another player in the middle order. Of course, there is Stubbs there, but you will need a proper middle-order batter because KL Rahul is not performing in the middle order. Ultimately, you ended up making him open anyway. Karun Nair, Rizvi, or Ashutosh Sharma, these players can only serve as twists and options. They can only be companions to Stubbs; they have not been able to work shoulder to shoulder. So you need another middle-order batter, and for that, you will need to release some money. You can do that, the options are available to you.”

Chopra further stated that Delhi Capitals could target all-rounder Cameron Green in the auction, or even Heinrich Klaasen if he is released by SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH). Aakash Chopra said:

“This is also a team that can go towards Cameron Green, and if anywhere Heinrich Klaasen gets released and comes in, then this team can also go towards Henrich Klaasen. It’s not necessary that you have to do the keeping with Porel or KL Rahul. Just do it with Klaasen, on that ground, that will be outstanding. It will be a lot of fun. They could have a lot of money.”

Aakash Chopra further stated that DC will need to settle their opening combination, as they frequently changed batters at the top during the 2025 edition, saying:

“They need to settle their opening because they haven’t been able to settle it so far. In the last tournament, I think they made the most changes in terms of openers. We saw Abhishek Porel, Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Jake Fraser, Faf du Plessis. It felt like, if there’s anyone left, just play them as an opener as well. So all the rotation they had with so many openers needs to be stopped. They don’t want to keep the musical chairs and revolving door system. If you want to settle the opening, you will need money for that. And the money will be available to you if you release so many players. That was one important aspect, so at least you get your batting order sorted.”

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen which players the Capitals will retain or release as the IPL 2026 retention deadline on November 15 approaches.

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“Spin contingent is outstanding” - Aakash Chopra shares insights on bowlers who could be released by DC

In the same video, Aakash Chopra said that Delhi Capitals might need to buy some Indian pacers during the IPL 2026 auction if they decide to release Mukesh Kumar, Mohit Sharma, and T. Natarajan, while noting that their spin department of Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Vipraj Nigam is well sorted. Aakash Chopra said:

“If you release Mohit, Mukesh, and T. Natarajan, you will have to buy some Indian bowlers. That means you will need a bit more fast bowling because your spin department is already very strong. You have Kuldeep, Axar, Vipraj Nigam, your spin contingent is outstanding. So everything is fine there. But in fast bowling, with Dushmantha Chameera and Mitchell Starc, you need a bit more. You had kept Mustafizur Rahman, you can keep him or release him. And if you want to buy someone else, that option will remain available to you.”

In the IPL 2025 edition, Axar Patel’s side missed out on the playoffs, finishing fifth with 15 points.