IPL 2026: Delhi Capitals rope in This England player as replacement for Ben Duckett

Ben Duckett opted out of IPL 2026 to focus on international duties.

Delhi Capitals (DC) are set to clash with Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their next match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The encounter will take place on Saturday, April 25, at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Axar Patel & Co. have had a roller-coaster ride in IPL 2026. They started the tournament with two wins, but then suffered two back-to-back losses and are now reeling at the fifth spot in the points table with three wins and three losses.

Ahead of the tournament, they suffered a big blow as their key batter Ben Duckett opted out of the tournament. He chose to refrain from playing in the tournament to focus on his international cricket.

DC sign Rehan Ahmed as Ben Duckett’s replacement in IPL 2026

DC have picked Rehan Ahmed as the replacement for Duckett in IPL 2026. Ahmed is a young bowling all-rounder from England.

The 21-year-old has not played in IPL so far and will be making his debut in the tournament. Ahmed was also part of the IPL 2026 mini-auction but went unsold at his price of INR 75 lakh.

Notably, Duckett might also face a ban from upcoming seasons for opting out of IPL 2026. While pulling out ahead of IPL 2026, Duckett had said in an interview with The Telegraph that it was a very difficult decision for him.

“It was a very difficult decision, and I want to apologise to everyone at Delhi that I won’t be coming. I felt it was going to be a great opportunity when I put myself in the auction, and for a franchise like Delhi to pick me up was amazing. I was buzzing. It’s the best competition in the world with the best players, and would have been an amazing experience,” he said.

“I don’t know if I’m potentially saying goodbye to the IPL, having never played in it. With the age I am now [31], it might be tough for me, but I hope one day I’m able to represent Delhi. But I’ve thought a lot about this, and know it’s the right decision for my career,” he added.

Meanwhile, DC have played six games in IPL 2026 so far, winning three games and losing three. With six points, they take the fifth spot in the points table. They will next face Punjab Kings on April 25 at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

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