IPL 2026 Auction For Delhi Capitals: The Team The Has A History
Delhi Capitals is the IPL team that has experienced the fullest cinematic arc. The team was first owned jointly by GMR Group and JSW Sports and has been in the league since 2008 when it all started. Over the years, the franchise has almost lived two lives , first as an exciting and unpredictable Delhi Daredevils team, and then a trailing yet ambitious Delhi Capitals team. The saga of DC has traversed through different stages including brief periods of glory, long spells of disappointments, and a bold rebranding that had a drastic impact, all of which are reminders that in the IPL, no plot is ever conclusive… and every new season is a new script waiting to be passed on.
IPL 2026 Auction Delhi Capitals: From Gautam Gambhir To Axar Patel- Season-Wise List of the Costliest Player
| Year | Player | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Gautam Gambhir | 2.9 crore |
| 2009 | Andrew McDonald | 3.67 crore |
| 2010 | Dirk Nannes | 3.92 crore |
| 2011 | Irfan Pathan | 8.74 crore |
| 2012 | Mahela Jayawardene | 11.76 crore |
| 2013 | Johan Botha | 4.5 crore |
| 2014 | Dinesh Karthik | 12.5 crore |
| 2015 | Yuvraj Singh | 16 crore |
| 2016 | Pawan Negi | 8.5 crore |
| 2017 | Kagiso Rabada | 5 crore |
| 2018 | Glenn Maxwell | 9 crore |
| 2019 | Colin Ingram | 6.4 crore |
| 2020 | Shimron Hetmyer | 7.75 crore |
| 2021 | Tom Curran | 5.25 crore |
| 2022 | David Warner | 6.25 crore |
| 2023 | Mukesh Kumar | 5.5 crore |
| 2024 | Kumar Kushagra | 7.2 crore |
| 2025 | KL Rahul | 14 crore |
Note: Prices represent auction purchases only, excluding retained players.
Axar Patel was DC’s costliest player for 2025 overall, retained for ₹16.5 crore.
IPL 2026 Auction Delhi Capitals: Background
Early Years (2008 – 2018): The Delhi Daredevils
- Strong Start: Reached IPL semi-finals in 2008 and 2009. The 2009 South Africa season was a highlight,topping the league stage but falling short in the semis.
- Star-Studded Squad: Featuring icons like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, AB de Villiers, and Glenn McGrath.
- Tough Times: After early success, the team hit a slump, often finishing near the bottom. “Daredevils” became synonymous with inconsistency and unfulfilled potential.
The Delhi Capitals Era (2019 – Present)
- Playoffs Comeback (2019): First season as Delhi Capitals saw a return to the playoffs after seven years.
- Historic First Final (2020): Reached maiden IPL final, finishing runners-up to Mumbai Indians.
- Consistency & Growth (2021–Present): Topped the league table in 2021, maintaining competitive form, though the IPL trophy remains elusive.
- Core Leadership: Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, and David Warner have become the backbone of DC’s modern identity.
Also Read: IPL 2026 Auction: From Avesh Khan To Rishabh Pant, Season-Wise…
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