The team that really stood out during the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday was definitely the Delhi Capitals. While their choices leading up to the auction raised a few eyebrows, they’ve still managed to bolster their squad for the upcoming season. With a budget of INR 21.8 crore and just eight spots to fill, they made some savvy moves, capitalizing on the missteps of other franchises to patch up their lineup for next season. After parting ways with Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk, and trading Donovan Ferreira to the Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals had some significant gaps to fill in the mini auction. They were on the hunt for an overseas opener and a lower middle-order batter. Their three smart picks have certainly strengthened their batting lineup. Ben Duckett When it comes to solving DC’s opening woes, Duckett is the perfect fit. They snagged him for a base price of INR 2 crores, which caught a lot of people off guard. The Englishman is regarded as one of the top opening batters globally, thanks to his ability to handle both pace and spin. He’s been a consistent performer in the shorter formats over the past few years. With Duckett on board, DC secured a proven opener without breaking the bank. Read also: PBKS Squad for IPL 2026: Complete Squad and Predicted XI of Punjab Kings David Miller Miller was a bit of a puzzle for Delhi Capitals, but they managed to bring him in at a bargain price. The South African had seen better days and his value had taken a hit. While other teams overlooked him, DC seized the opportunity. By signing Miller, they not only filled the gap left by Ferreira but also added a strong player to their roster. Prithvi Shaw The former Delhi Capitals player was initially overlooked in the first round, but the team later decided to boost his price in the expedited round. He’ll be joining the DC squad for IPL 2026 at a price of INR 75 lakhs. While Shaw might be seen as a secondary option, having him on the team is definitely a win, as he has the talent to make an immediate impact on the already strong lineup.