Axar Patel Out? Players To Be Released By Delhi Capitals Before IPL 2027
An Early Exit and a Season of Introspection for Delhi Capitals
On a Sunday evening in Kolkata, the Delhi Capitals saw their IPL season reach a disappointing, yet predictable, conclusion. Without finishing in the coveted playoff spots, their exit was officially sealed when the Punjab Kings secured an away victory over the Lucknow Super Giants on the penultimate day of the league phase. Despite assembling what looked like a highly competitive and balanced squad at the auction table, a frustrating mix of player underperformances and questionable tactical decisions prevented the Capitals from building any real momentum.
Their home form was particularly alarming. Delhi Capitals managed to lose five out of their seven home matches at the Arun Jaitley Stadium—a venue that should have been their fortress. In one of the most baffling games of the tournament, they even ended up on the losing side after posting a massive 264 runs in the first innings. Ahead of their final league encounter against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the iconic Eden Gardens, the Capitals sat with 12 points from 13 matches, registering 6 wins and 7 losses. While a victory in the final game could theoretically push them as high as fifth place—provided other results like the Rajasthan Royals versus Mumbai Indians match go their way—it would only serve as a minor consolation for a franchise that desperately needs deep introspection.
Axar Patel Out? Setting the Record Straight
Whenever a franchise underperforms, rumors begin to swirl around its top stars. While the question “Axar Patel Out?” might make headlines, it is highly unlikely that the Delhi Capitals would part ways with such an invaluable all-round asset. Instead, the team management is expected to focus on releasing underperforming players who occupy significant portions of their salary purse. By cutting ties with players who have failed to deliver consistent match-winning performances, Delhi Capitals can successfully rebuild their squad for the IPL 2027 cycle.
The Primary Targets for Release Before IPL 2027
To mount a stronger challenge in the next cycle, the Delhi Capitals must make tough decisions. Here are the three key players currently in the firing line who are highly likely to be released ahead of the IPL 2027 auction.
1. Karun Nair (INR 50 Lakh)
Karun Nair was acquired by the Delhi Capitals at his base price of INR 50 Lakh during the IPL mega auction, riding on the back of stellar domestic performances. His return to the franchise showed immense promise when he smashed an explosive 89 off just 40 deliveries against the Mumbai Indians, boldly taking apart a world-class bowler like Jasprit Bumrah.
Unfortunately, that spectacular knock proved to be an exception rather than the rule. Across 10 innings spanning the IPL 2025 and IPL 2026 seasons, Nair managed to accumulate only 216 runs. While his strike rate of 175.60 remains highly impressive, his average of 21.60 and the lack of consistent contributions have hurt the team’s middle order. That single half-century against Mumbai Indians remained his lone fifty across two full seasons. Having been utilized only twice ahead of the final game of the season, DC has plenty of younger, dynamic domestic alternatives such as Sameer Rizvi, Sahil Parakh, Abishek Porel, and Nitish Rana, all of whom can easily slot into the number three position. Releasing Nair is a logical tactical move that immediately frees up a spot and INR 50 Lakh in their purse.
2. T Natarajan (INR 10.75 Crore)
There was a time when T Natarajan was considered one of the most exciting young left-arm seamers in the country, rising to fame with the Sunrisers Hyderabad and subsequently representing India across all three formats. However, a series of unfortunate injuries derailed his international career. Despite ongoing fitness and injury concerns during the IPL 2025 season, the Delhi Capitals management decided to back him heavily heading into IPL 2026.
Regrettably, that gamble did not pay off. At 35 years of age, Natarajan struggled to find his rhythm in IPL 2026, playing 10 matches and picking up a mere 5 wickets. What made matters worse was his highly expensive economy rate of 11.18 runs per over. A significant chunk of his wicket tally came from a single match against the Lucknow Super Giants, where he returned figures of 3/29. Beyond that performance, he was largely ineffective. By releasing Natarajan, the Delhi Capitals will instantly add a whopping INR 10.75 crore back to their auction purse, allowing them to invest in younger, more robust fast-bowling talent.
3. Mukesh Kumar (INR 8 Crore)
Mukesh Kumar has been a prominent figure in the Delhi Capitals’ bowling department, standing as the team’s third-highest wicket-taker over the past two seasons with 18 wickets in 22 matches. Known for his disciplined Test-match lines and lengths, Mukesh can be a handful for top-order batters when the conditions offer assistance. However, his lack of consistency and high scoring rate in the shortest format have become major liabilities.
Since the beginning of the IPL 2025 season, Mukesh has conceded runs at an alarming economy rate of 10.74. In IPL 2026, he managed to pick up only 6 wickets in 10 innings while his economy rate swelled to 11.26 runs per over. For a frontline Indian pacer, conceding at such a high rate without picking up regular wickets is unsustainable. With the promising inclusion of Auqib Nabi in the setup, Delhi Capitals are highly likely to release Mukesh Kumar to make way for a younger prospect. This strategic release will free up an additional INR 8 crore for the franchise to utilize at the auction table.
Rebuilding the Purse for IPL 2027
By parting ways with these three players, the Delhi Capitals will successfully free up a massive financial chunk:
- Karun Nair: INR 50 Lakh
- T Natarajan: INR 10.75 Crore
- Mukesh Kumar: INR 8.00 Crore
- Total Purse Freed Up: INR 19.25 Crore
This financial flexibility of nearly INR 20 crore will be crucial in allowing the team management to target high-quality domestic and international players who can bring the much-needed consistency and tactical discipline that was sorely missing throughout their IPL campaign.
