Delhi Capitals have secured England leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed for the rest of IPL 2026, bringing him in as cover for Ben Duckett, who had been set to feature for the franchise. The deal keeps DC’s squad plans moving forward after Duckett pulled out just before the tournament, with the Capitals opting to wait for a suitable replacement rather than filling the spot immediately.
Rehan Ahmed joins DC for the remainder of IPL 2026
Rehan Ahmed, who is set to make his IPL debut, will join Delhi Capitals for a fee of INR 75 lakh. His arrival comes after Ben Duckett’s decision to step away from what would have been his first experience in the league, allowing Rehan to take over the opening opportunity in the squad.
Why Ben Duckett withdrew and how DC filled the opening role
Duckett withdrew from the tournament in order to concentrate on his England commitments after a disappointing Ashes assignment. DC did not name a replacement right away, and instead handed the opener’s role to Sri Lanka batter Pathum Nissanka alongside KL Rahul during the period while the franchise assessed its options.
Rehan’s form, County Championship rise, and recent England impact
Though Rehan has not played IPL cricket before, his recent trajectory has been shaped by wrist-spin breakthroughs and a noticeable improvement with the bat. The 21-year-old has been particularly prominent for Leicestershire, where his batting elevated to match his bowling influence, especially in top-order positions.
- In the 2025 County Championship Division Two campaign, Rehan scored 760 runs at an average of 50.66.
- He struck five centuries during that season.
- With the ball, he also grabbed 23 wickets at an average of 19.
- That contribution helped Leicestershire clinch the Division Two title and secure promotion to Division One.
More recently, Rehan played a key role for England at the T20 World Cup, striking an unbeaten 19 off 7 balls as they navigated a tight contest against New Zealand. He then took part in the first two rounds of the ongoing County Championship season, extending his involvement at the domestic level before the IPL move.
Next for Delhi Capitals: clash with Punjab Kings in Delhi
Delhi Capitals enter their next assignment following a defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad in their most recent outing. DC will now host table-toppers Punjab Kings in Delhi on Saturday, April 25, with Rehan Ahmed’s addition set to add depth and options as the season progresses.
