IPL 2026: Delhi Capitals’ strongest predicted XI against Chennai Super Kings

The Delhi Capitals take on the Chennai Super Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Match 48 of the 2026 Indian Premier League. 

The Capitals are coming off a fantastic victory at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium against the Rajasthan Royals, where they chased down a mammoth 226 against one of the better bowling attacks in the tournament. The team is seated in seventh place with eight points from nine games, and will need to rack up wins in their next five games. 

Here is the strongest Delhi Capitals predicted XI for Match 48 vs CSK:

Top order: Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Rana, 

Pathum Nissanka finally took his chance against the Rajasthan Royals, scoring 62 off 33 balls, which set the platform for Capitals' chase. He found himself out of the team after a lean run to start IPL 2026, but grabbed his chance with both hands on his return to the squad.

KL Rahul has been the Capitals’ mainstay, and he once again shone with a masterful 75 off 40 balls against the Royals, which earned him the Player of the Match award. Nitish Rana has slotted in brilliantly at one-drop for the Capitals, scoring 202 runs at a strike rate of 160.32 in seven matches this season, with two half-centuries.

Middle order: Sameer Rizvi, Karun Nair (Impact), Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, 

Sameer Rizvi started the season in fine fashion with two brilliant match-winning half-centuries. Howeever, he has been unable to maintain that form, scoring just 49 runs in his next seven games. Karun Nair was meant to slot in as the impact player for the Capitals against the Royals, but was unable to do so. His versatility to bat anywhere in the order would see him continue in this role.

Tristan Stubbs has been one of the Capitals’ best batters and has excelled at taking games deep while also being a reliable finisher at the back end. Ashutosh Sharma returned to the team and scored a 15-ball 25. 

Lower order/bowlers: Axar Patel (C), Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan.

The Capitals have had issues with the performances of the bowlers. Axar Patel has had an underwhelming season with the bat, but has had a decent season with the ball. He has picked up eight wickets and has been more liberal with his overs in the powerplay. Kyle Jamieson has filled in brilliantly for Lungi Ngidi, picking up the big wicket of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi against the Royals. However, Ngidi is set to return to the side.

Perhaps the biggest story for the Capitals is Mitchell Starc, who finally made his much-awaited return against the Royals, and was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/40. Kuldeep Yadav has also had a season not up to his lofty standards, with just seven wickets in nine matches. T Natarajan has also had a mixed bag season on his return, with just five wickets in nine matches. 

Delhi Capitals' Predicted XI for Match 48 vs Chennai Super Kings

Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Rana, Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel (C), Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan.

Impact Player: Karun Nair