DC in IPL 2026: A season of home discomforts and missing rhythm

Season at a glance: Delhi Capitals' IPL 2026 campaign unravelled due to inconsistent performances and ill-timed setbacks. Constant chopping and changing across batting and bowling units never allowed them rhythm. Another recurring theme was the top order's failure to provide solid starts, repeatedly leaving the middle order with too much to do. Despite occasional fightbacks, DC found themselves on the wrong side of a couple of close contests that could have changed their fortunes.

Their struggles were particularly pronounced at home, winning just two of seven matches, with the franchise frequently pointing to inconsistent Delhi pitches. Availability issues further dented their chances. Mitchell Starc's absence deprived the attack of its spearhead, while Lungi Ngidi's concussion sidelined him for three games. Most damaging was the collective failure of the bowling unit. Across pace and spin, returns from seasoned campaigners and newcomers were underwhelming, forcing more frequent lineup changes and making it another season to forget.

Player of the season: KL Rahul stood out with yet another stellar season, amassing 593 runs at an average of 45.61, including a record-breaking unbeaten 152 against Punjab Kings in Delhi's mammoth total of 264, albeit in a losing cause. Rahul answered long-standing questions about his tempo, striking at 174.41 — a significant jump from his career IPL strike-rate of 139.14 — while maintaining trademark consistency.

A stat that adds up: With an average of 39.92 and a strike rate of 23.8, Delhi's bowling unit was the second-worst in the competition by both metrics. Their inability to take wickets consistently proved a major factor in DC's underwhelming campaign.

A mini-auction pick that…

• Looked a million bucks: Lungi Ngidi, snapped up at his base price of INR 2 crore, began the season filling in for Mitchell Starc. The South African finished with 13 wickets at an economy rate of 8.2, with his well-disguised slower ball becoming a key weapon.

• Didn't work out: Bought for INR 8.4 crore, Auqib Nabi Dar was their costliest signing, but the Ranji Trophy-winning pacer struggled in his debut IPL season, leaking runs at 11.45 an over across four appearances.

Best match of the season: The stunning 211-run chase in Dharamsala stands out. Reeling at 74/4 in the ninth over after another top-order collapse, and with their season hanging by a thread, DC mounted a remarkable comeback through half-centuries from Axar Patel and David Miller, as well as Ashutosh Sharma's finishing act. The victory kept their playoff hopes alive heading into the final league game, only to be dashed on the last day.

On a scale of 1-10: A middling 5.