Delhi Capitals will have to search for a different opening partner for KL Rahul in IPL 2026 as they decided to release Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk prior to the mini-auction. The former RCB captain’s release may have been due to age, whereas the Australian opener had a below-average season in 2025. Even though DC does not have too many choices when it comes to finding openers during the mini-auction, there are still some players in the pool whom they can aim for. Let us see what openers DC may be looking at before the mini-auction.
4 Openers Delhi Capitals Can Eye At IPL 2026 Auction
1. Devon Conway
The New Zealand practitioner has a good record when it comes to playing as an opener, both in IPL and T20Is. The left-handed batsman was let go by Chennai Super Kings before the mini-auction and participated in just 6 matches for CSK in IPL 2025. Though Devon Conway will not be as aggressive as Jake Fraser-McGurk, he will certainly help to keep the scoreboard moving with the blend of his hitting and craftsmanship skills. Additionally, signing up Conway can allow DC to continue the left-right combination at the top of the order.
2. Rachin Ravindra
Another player who has been released by CSK and whom DC could consider for the opening spot is Rachin Ravindra. He did this for CSK during some of his games in the past and also experienced decent success. His best season coincided with his IPL debut year-2024-when he accumulated 222 runs in 10 matches. In IPL 2025, he gathered 191 runs in 8 games. Like Conway, he is not the kind of batsman who will blow everyone away with his attacking shots but he can be a good mix of his shots at the top of the order.
3. Quinton de Kock
The South African opening batsman, who has just made a comeback to international cricket, was let go by Kolkata Knight Riders before the IPL 2026 mini-auction. He was not at his best in the previous season, which could be a reason for KKR’s decision to part ways with him. Nevertheless, he still possesses the power to destroy the bowling attack as an opener and has ruled the position in both international cricket and IPL for years. Quinton de Kock is a good candidate for Delhi Capitals as an opener.
4. Tim Seifert
The wicketkeeper-batter from New Zeland was let go by Royal Challengers Bengaluru without playing even one match. He was signed as a replacement for Jacob Bethell, who had to leave for national duties. Seifert’s T20I opening record is exceptional, with 1378 out of 1850 runs when he was batting first or second.
