Delhi Capitals are one of the original franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), having competed in the tournament since its first season in 2008. The team was originally known as Delhi Daredevils before adopting the DC name in 2019. Although the franchise has produced several memorable campaigns and reached the IPL final in 2020, it is still searching for its first men’s IPL championship.
Based in New Delhi, the franchise is co-owned by the GMR Group and JSW Group. The team plays its home matches at Arun Jaitley Stadium and has featured several prominent international and Indian cricketers over the years. Axar Patel captained DC during the 2026 season, while KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs and Mitchell Starc were among the key players in the squad.
What Are Delhi Capitals?
DC are a professional T20 cricket team that competes in the IPL. The franchise was established in 2008 and became known as DC in 2019 as part of a rebranding exercise.
The team is jointly owned by the GMR Group and JSW Group through their cricket operations. Its home venue is Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, which has hosted numerous IPL matches over the years.
DC have reached the IPL playoffs several times and finished as runners-up in 2020. However, the franchise has not yet won the men’s IPL title. The team also participates in the Women’s Premier League through its separate women’s side, which has reached the WPL final in each of the competition’s first three editions.
History of Delhi Capitals
Delhi Daredevils were among the eight teams that competed in the inaugural IPL season in 2008. The franchise made an encouraging start and reached the semifinals in its first campaign, finishing fourth overall.
The team remained competitive during its early years and reached the semifinals again in 2009 and 2012. However, its performances became less consistent during the middle of the decade, and it struggled to reach the playoffs regularly.
The franchise changed its name from Delhi Daredevils to DC ahead of the 2019 season. The rebranding marked a new phase for the team, which reached the playoffs in its first season under the new identity and finished third.
DC then enjoyed their most successful IPL campaign in 2020. Under captain Shreyas Iyer, the team reached its first IPL final but lost to the Mumbai Indians by five wickets.
The franchise reached the playoffs again in 2021, finishing third, but subsequently experienced mixed results. In 2024, Delhi finished sixth, followed by a fifth-place finish in 2025. The team ended the 2026 season in sixth place, missing out on the playoffs once again.
Delhi Capitals IPL Titles
DC have not won an IPL title as of the end of the 2026 season. Their best result came in 2020, when they reached the final for the first time.
Mumbai Indians defeated DC by five wickets in that final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Delhi scored 156/7 after batting first, while Mumbai chased down the target with eight balls remaining.
The franchise has also reached the playoffs in several other seasons, including 2009, 2012, 2019 and 2021. Despite those campaigns, the team has yet to convert its playoff appearances into an IPL championship.
Delhi Capitals Season-by-Season IPL Performance
The following table summarises Delhi Capitals’ final league positions from the inaugural season through 2026.
| IPL Season | Team Name | Final Position |
| 2008 | Delhi Daredevils | 4th |
| 2009 | Delhi Daredevils | 3rd |
| 2010 | Delhi Daredevils | 5th |
| 2011 | Delhi Daredevils | 10th |
| 2012 | Delhi Daredevils | 3rd |
| 2013 | Delhi Daredevils | 9th |
| 2014 | Delhi Daredevils | 8th |
| 2015 | Delhi Daredevils | 7th |
| 2016 | Delhi Daredevils | 6th |
| 2017 | Delhi Daredevils | 6th |
| 2018 | Delhi Daredevils | 8th |
| 2019 | Delhi Capitals | 3rd |
| 2020 | Delhi Capitals | 2nd |
| 2021 | Delhi Capitals | 3rd |
| 2022 | Delhi Capitals | 5th |
| 2023 | Delhi Capitals | 9th |
| 2024 | Delhi Capitals | 6th |
| 2025 | Delhi Capitals | 5th |
| 2026 | Delhi Capitals | 6th |
The team’s strongest stretch in recent history came between 2019 and 2021, when it finished third, second and third in successive seasons. The 2020 runner-up finish remains its best IPL result. The official IPL archive records the team’s season positions through 2024, while official and contemporary reports confirm its subsequent campaigns.
Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026
DC finished sixth in the IPL 2026 standings, earning 14 points from 14 matches. The team recorded seven wins and seven defeats, leaving it outside the playoff places.
Axar Patel captained the side, with Hemang Badani serving as head coach during the season. KL Rahul was a central figure in the batting lineup, while Kuldeep Yadav and Mitchell Starc contributed to the bowling attack.
Delhi closed the season with three consecutive victories, including a 40-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on May 24. The Capitals posted 203/5 before dismissing KKR for 163 in 18.4 overs. Rahul scored 60 off 30 balls, while Kuldeep Yadav took 3/29 and Lungi Ngidi claimed 3/27.
Despite that strong finish, Delhi had already fallen short of playoff qualification. The campaign continued a pattern of inconsistent league results, with the team unable to secure enough wins to reach the knockout stage.
Delhi Capitals Team Owners
DC are jointly owned by the GMR Group and JSW Group. The two groups oversee the franchise’s cricket operations and have supported its development since the team was established in 2008.
The franchise has invested in player recruitment, coaching and talent development across the IPL and WPL. Its 2019 rebranding from Delhi Daredevils to Delhi Capitals was part of a broader effort to establish a renewed identity for the team.
Delhi Capitals Captain and Coach
For the 2026 IPL season, Axar Patel was the captain and Hemang Badani was the head coach. Axar brought international experience as an all-rounder, while Badani led the team’s coaching setup.
In October 2026, DC announced that former India captain Sourav Ganguly would take over as head coach for the next IPL season. Ganguly had previously worked with the franchise in advisory and cricket leadership roles, including as Director of Cricket.
Delhi Capitals Home Ground
DC play their home matches at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The venue, formerly known as Feroz Shah Kotla, is one of India’s established cricket grounds and has hosted international matches as well as IPL fixtures.
The stadium’s location in the national capital makes it a central part of the franchise’s identity. DC have also played selected home fixtures at other venues in certain IPL seasons, depending on the tournament schedule and venue arrangements.
Key Players in Delhi Capitals History
DC have featured many notable Indian and overseas players since the IPL began. Some became closely associated with the franchise through long spells, while others played important roles during specific seasons.
Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant was one of Delhi’s most recognisable players during the franchise’s recent rise. His aggressive batting and wicketkeeping made him an important part of the team, and he captained the side during multiple seasons. He was also among the players who helped Delhi reach the playoffs in 2019 and 2021.
Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer captained DC during their run to the 2020 IPL final. Under his leadership, the team reached the championship match for the first time in its history. Iyer was an important batter during that period and helped establish Delhi as a consistent playoff contender.
Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag was a major figure during the Delhi Daredevils era. Known for his attacking approach at the top of the order, he was one of the franchise’s key batters in its early seasons and helped the team reach the playoffs in 2008, 2009 and 2012.
David Warner
David Warner represented Delhi in multiple seasons, including during the Daredevils era and after the franchise adopted the Capitals name. His experience and top-order batting added value to the side, and he was the team’s leading run-scorer in the 2023 season.
Axar Patel
Axar Patel became a key all-rounder for DC through his left-arm spin and lower-order batting. He was retained ahead of the 2026 season and served as captain, taking on a major leadership role within the team.
Delhi Capitals Records and Achievements
DC have recorded several notable achievements, even though the men’s team has yet to win the IPL trophy.
- Best IPL finish: Runners-up in 2020.
- First IPL season: 2008, as Delhi Daredevils.
- Name change: The franchise became DC in 2019.
- First IPL final: The 2020 final against Mumbai Indians.
- Recent playoff qualification: The team reached the playoffs in 2021, finishing third.
- 2026 result: Sixth place with 14 points from 14 matches.
- 2026 season finale: A 40-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens.
The franchise’s biggest achievement remains its run to the 2020 final. Its next major goal is to return to the playoffs and compete for its first IPL championship.
Delhi Capitals at a Glance
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Delhi Capitals |
| Previous Name | Delhi Daredevils |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Competition | Indian Premier League |
| Home City | New Delhi, India |
| Home Ground | Arun Jaitley Stadium |
| Owners | GMR Group and JSW Group |
| 2026 Captain | Axar Patel |
| 2026 Head Coach | Hemang Badani |
| Head Coach for Next IPL Season | Sourav Ganguly, announced October 2026 |
| IPL Titles | 0 |
| Best IPL Finish | Runners-up in 2020 |
| 2026 Final Position | 6th |
| 2026 Points | 14 |
FAQs
Q. How many IPL titles have DC won?
A. DC have not won an IPL title.
Q. When was DC founded?
A. The franchise was established in 2008 as Delhi Daredevils.
Q. When did Delhi Daredevils become Delhi Capitals?
A. The team changed its name to DC in 2019.
Q. Who captained DC in IPL 2026?
A. Axar Patel was the captain in the 2026 season.
Q. What is the home ground of Delhi Capitals?
A. The team’s home ground is Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
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