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Spin bowling all-rounder Rehan Ahmed is all set to experience IPL for the first time ever as he has replaced Ben Duckett in the Delhi Capitals ranks in the 2026 edition. Rehan, who made his Test debut against Pakistan in 2022, will join the Capitals for a fee of ₹75 lakh and will immediately leave England to join the squad.
Why did Ben Duckett terminate his contract with his Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2026?
Duckett, picked by the Capitals for the first time in the IPL auction for a base of ₹2 crore, opted out of the cash-rich tournament citing the need to play county cricket to get back into shape before the home Test matches. In an interview with The Telegraph, the Nottinghamshire batsman explained that he would not have time to adjust to red-ball cricket after returning from the IPL:
“It was a very difficult decision and I would like to apologize to everyone in Delhi for not coming. I felt it would be a great opportunity when I joined the auction and having a franchise like Delhi take me on was great. I was buzzing. It’s the best competition in the world with the best players and it would have been an incredible experience. I don’t know if I might say goodbye to the IPL as I have never participated in it. At the age I am now [31]it might be tough for me but I hope I can represent Delhi one day. But I’ve thought about it a lot and I know it’s the right decision for my career.”
“We’ve all had different journeys, but my route into the Test team came from county cricket. I know how valuable that is to me, scoring runs in the Championship and having the confidence that gives me for the rest of the summer. I could have gone to the IPL, spent time on the sidelines and then returned to the Test summer. I wouldn’t have had time to process the winter, learn from mistakes and go back to the drawing board with Notts.”
How did Delhi Capitals perform in IPL 2026?
Meanwhile, the Capitals have been inconsistent so far, sitting 5th in the points table. Although Axar Patel and Co. started their season with two wins in a row, they lost the next ones. Although they bounced back with a nervy win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), a 47-run win set them back.
The Capitals will next face the Punjab Kings at home on April 25, Saturday.
Also read: MI vs CSK, IPL 2026: Why do Chennai Super Kings players wear black armbands at Wankhede Stadium?
