As soon as the countdown starts ipl 2026 Mini auction in Abu Dhabi on 16th December Delhi Capitals (DC) The franchise is set to make deliberate moves to fill its remaining eight slots, five of which are for overseas players. With a war chest of Rs 21.8 crore, DC is one of the teams with a healthy purse, which makes them willing to target high-impact players.
Looking to strengthen their middle-order, fast bowling and all-round options, the Capitals are expected to aggressively pursue a mix of proven international and strong domestic talent. Here are details of some of the high-value players that Delhi Capitals could target in the auction in 2025, including a snapshot of their recent T20 performances.
5 players whom Delhi Capitals can buy in IPL 2026 mini auction
1) Steve Smith (foreign batsman)
- Role: top/middle order anchors and strategic leaders
steve smith Provides immense value as a world-class accumulator and a strategic voice. DC needs an experienced batsman who can handle the innings and bat in the middle overs, Smith’s consistency and ability to adapt to different pitches makes him an ideal candidate.
His consistent anchoring (demonstrated by his high 2025 average) will provide much-needed stability to the top four, allowing the offensive players around him to express themselves freely. Securing Smith would free up a significant overseas slot for a top-tier performer.
2) Sarfaraz Khan (Indian batsman)
- Role: Explosive middle order Indian batsman
Sarfaraz Khan This is a name that is expected to attract heavy bidding, especially from teams like DC who are looking for an impactful Indian middle-order batsman. His phenomenal domestic T20 record and ability to accelerate towards the end of the innings could solve DC’s occasional struggles after the powerplay.
His performance in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) A late 2025, which included a brilliant 100 off 47 balls, highlighted his match-winning ability and explosive strike rate, making him a high-potential domestic investment.
3) Gerald Coetzee (foreign fast bowler)
- Role:Pace spearhead and death over specialist
South African young fast bowler, Gerald CoetzeeHe is a high-demand item due to his genuine pace, aggression and efficiency in the death overs. DC is constantly on the lookout for a reliable overseas fast bowler.
Although his IPL 2025 run was cut short due to injury, his ability to take important wickets in the middle (evident from his figures of 2/32 in SA20) remains his main value. His inclusion will significantly strengthen DC’s pace battery and provide a valuable overseas bowling option.
Also read: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) may target 5 players in the IPL 2026 auction
4) Venkatesh Iyer (Indian all-rounder)
- Role: Batting all-rounder/finisher
Venkatesh IyerAn established Indian all-rounder, would be a high-priority target. His primary value lies in his devastating left-handed batting in the middle-order and his utility in medium-pace bowling. Iyer’s impact, especially the scores of 45 (29) and 60 (29) in IPL 2025, shows his ability to deliver game-changing innings. While his bowling was rarely used, his ability as a batting all-rounder provided vital balance and depth to DC.
5. David Miller (Foreign Finisher)
- Role: Power Hitter and Finisher
david millerKnown as the ‘Killer Miller’, he is one of the most reliable overseas finishers in the world. With DC often needing a big hitter to finish the innings, Miller’s experience and explosive strike rate will be invaluable. His average of 58.50 in the SA20 2025 highlights his exceptional finishing ability, often remaining unbeaten to lead his team to victory. His consistent match-winning performances in that difficult role make him a calculated risk worth taking for a team aiming to maximize their scoring potential in the final overs.
Also read: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) can target 5 players in the mini auction of IPL 2026