IPL 2026: Delhi Capitals’ strongest predicted XI against Lucknow Super Giants

Delhi Capitals (DC) will take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their opening game of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, April 1. 

DC have a strong squad, which narrowly took them to the playoffs in 2025. They missed out on the top four by just one point. To go one better, the Axar Patel-led side strengthened heavily in the mini auction by securing the services of David Miller and Lungi Ngidi. 

The 2020 finalists have a good core of Indian players with a plethora of IPL experience under their belt. Despite missing Mitchell Starc for the early parts of the tournament and Ben Duckett due to international commitments, DC can still count on their amazing squad depth to come good and take them to new heights at the 2026 IPL.

Here is DC’s strongest predicted XI vs LSG, Match 5, IPL 2026:

Top Order: Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Rana

DC’s top order can consist of two in-form opening batters in the form of Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka and KL Rahul. With Duckett out of the entirety of the 2026 IPL, Nissanka is expected to play the role of the overseas opener. 

Rahul, on the other hand, is set to play in his second season in DC colours. He had an excellent debut campaign last time around, scoring 539 at an average of close to 54 whilst striking at 149.72.

Nitish Rana has joined DC on a trade from Rajasthan Royals, giving them a floater who can bat anywhere in the top and the middle order, something he has done really well in the past for Kolkata Knight Riders. 

Middle Order: Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel (C), David Miller, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam

The DC middle order could consist of two of their star overseas players in the form of Tristan Stubbs and new signing Miller. The South African duo could be partnered alongside captain Axar Patel and finishers in Ashutosh Sharma and Vipraj Nigam.

The middle order has a good combination of left-handers and right-handers, giving coach Hemang Badani plenty of flexibility to change the batting order based on the situation and the bowler in front of them. 

Ashutosh and Nigam’s form from last year could allow the likes of Stubbs, Axar, and Miller to go hard in the middle overs, knowing they have some very good finishers to come lower down the order. Ashutosh’s strike-rate last season was 160.62, while Nigam was striking at nearly 180.

Bowlers: Auqib Nabi Dar, Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi

A lot of eyes would be on Auqib Nabi Dar this season in the IPL after DC splashed INR 8.40 crore to secure his services. The Jammu & Kashmir bowler has had an excellent time in the domestic circuit, ending the Ranji Trophy as the leading wicket-taker. 

Kuldeep Yadav, meanwhile, was DC’s leading wicket-taker last season, taking 15 wickets, while Lungi Ngidi is in the form of his life, taking 12 wickets at an economy rate of 7.19 in the recently-concluded T20 World Cup.

Delhi Capitals predicted playing XI:

Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Rana, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Axar Patel (C), Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi
 
Impact Player: T. Natarajan