Former India player Aakash Chopra has picked the Delhi Capitals’ (DC) spin-bowling department as their biggest strength heading into IPL 2026. He highlighted that they have an excellent spin-bowling all-rounder in Axar Patel, who can bowl in multiple phases of the game and can bat wherever required.

Axar will continue to lead the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026. He will likely have the company of Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam as the other frontline spinners in DC’s probable playing combination.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ the former India opener pointed out the Delhi Capitals’ spin-bowling might, highlighting the flexibility provided by Axar with both bat and ball.

“The biggest strength I see is that they have three quality spinners, and two of the three are all-rounders. They have an excellent captain and bowler in Bapu. He bowls with the new ball in the powerplay and in the middle overs, and he bats wherever the team wants him to bat. He is the captain. So he can decide himself, but if the team asks him to play here or there, he will not hesitate at all to do that,” he said.

Chopra added that while Kuldeep is one of the most potent spinners in the prestigious league, Vipraj can deliver with both bat and ball.

“If you have to find the top three spinners of this league, Kuldeep Yadav’s name will be there. I am talking about wicket-takers, and he is a wicket-taker. He is actually a very, very smart operator. Along with them, Vipraj Nigam. I rate him very highly. He is a great asset – leg-spin bowling and batting along with that,” he observed.

The cricketer-turned-commentator noted that the Delhi Capitals also have a decent overseas seam-bowling contingent.

“The overseas fast bowling contingent is quite decent. They have Mitchell Starc, a match-winner. We have seen what Dushmantha Chameera can do. Lungisani Ngidi is a very, very good bowler, and Kyle Jamieson does a decent job. Chameera is in good form, and Lungisani Ngidi is in red-hot form,” Chopra elaborated.

The Delhi Capitals retained Mitchell Starc and Dushmantha Chameera ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. They acquired Lungi Ngidi and Kyle Jamieson for ₹2 crore apiece at the auction.

“The middle order has become very good now” – Aakash Chopra on Delhi Capitals’ batting strengths heading into IPL 2026

In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that the Delhi Capitals have strengthened their middle order heading into IPL 2026.

“The middle order has become very good now. There used to be slight problems at one stage. They have solidified it now. They have brought in Nitish Rana. He is a seasoned operator. David Miller and Tristan Stubbs, they can play both of them. May not be the best middle order, but they have got a very decent middle order. It will be immensely profitable if they play Miller and Stubbs together,” he said.

The analyst added that DC could form a formidable opening combination, highlighting that they have a plethora of options.

“They have the potential to be a great opening combination. They have KL Rahul as an opener. Keep him as an opener only. Ben Duckett, Pathum Nissanka, Prithvi Shaw or Abhishek Porel can open with him. They even got Karun Nair to open. Just think about the options. Options are plenty. They can make the team in multiple ways,” Chopra observed.

The Delhi Capitals acquired Ben Duckett (₹2 crore) and Pathum Nissanka (₹4 crore) as overseas openers in the IPL 2026 auction. They also bought Prithvi Shaw for ₹75 lakh to give themselves another Indian opening option.