In a significant mid-season squad change, Delhi Capitals have signed England’s leg-spin bowling all-rounder Rehan Ahmed as a replacement for compatriot Ben Duckett for the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The announcement was made on Thursday, April 23, by the IPL organisers, ending weeks of speculation about who would fill the vacant overseas slot in the Delhi Capitals roster.
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The Official Announcement
“Delhi Capitals (DC) have picked Rehan Ahmed as a replacement for Ben Duckett for the remainder of TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Rehan, a right-arm leg-spinner, has played 5 Tests, 9 ODIs and 13 T20Is for England and has scalped 49 international wickets.” It is reported that Ahmed will join the squad in a deal worth INR 75 lakh and could be available for the Saturday clash against Punjab Kings.
Why Ben Duckett Withdrew
Duckett had pulled out from the tournament mainly to focus on his international career with England and manage his physical and mental workload. Last month, Duckett had pulled out of his IPL deal in a bid to rediscover his form and save his Test career after a poor Ashes series. Duckett, who has never played in the IPL, was bought for Rs 2 crore at the IPL 2026 auction in December last year.
The England batter decided to withdraw from the tournament and instead started preparations for England’s home summer, which includes three Tests against New Zealand in June and then three Tests against Pakistan in August-September. His late withdrawal is likely to earn him a two-year ban from the IPL as per the league rules. Harry Brook is serving a similar ban after withdrawing from his deal, also with the Capitals, before the start of the 2025 edition.
Replacement Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Player In | Rehan Ahmed |
| Player Out | Ben Duckett |
| Deal Value | ₹75 Lakh |
| Duckett’s Original Price | ₹2 Crore |
| First Available Match | vs Punjab Kings (Saturday) |
| IPL Debut | Yes (First IPL stint) |
Why Delhi Capitals Chose Rehan Ahmed
Since then, the Delhi management has played the wait-and-watch game as they wanted to assess the team first before announcing any replacement. As things stand, they might have figured out that Axar Patel and Vipraj Nigam haven’t been quite effective with the ball and hence wanted someone with the same profile.
Rehan Ahmed’s arrival adds a lethal new dimension to the Capitals’ bowling arsenal. Known for his deceptive googlies and fearless lower-order hitting, Rehan joins Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam as wrist-spinning options. Rehan fit in that category and the negotiations turned out rather easy as the England international also signed for Southern Brave for the upcoming The Hundred, which is co-owned by the GMR group, that also holds 50% share of Delhi Capitals.
Rehan Ahmed’s Profile
| Statistic | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 21 years |
| Role | Leg-spin bowling all-rounder |
| Tests | 5 matches |
| ODIs | 9 matches |
| T20Is | 13 matches (15 wickets) |
| T20 Career | 97 matches, 85 wickets |
| T20 Economy | 8.13 |
| T20 Runs | 1,071 runs (SR: 125.70) |
| Best Bowling | 4/22 |
Rehan became the youngest man to play a Test for England when he made his debut at 18 years and 126 days old in Karachi in December 2022. The 21-year-old Rehan, who burst onto the scene for his wrist-spin, has seen his batting go up several notches, featuring at the top of the order for Leicestershire as they clinched Division Two of the 2025 County Championship to earn a promotion to Division One. Rehan tallied 760 runs at an average of 50.66, hitting five centuries and taking 23 wickets at 19 apiece in the said season.
Recent Performances
He made waves earlier this year during the 2026 T20 World Cup for breaking crucial partnerships. Rehan recently impressed in the T20 World Cup: his 2 for 28 and crucial cameo of 19 not out off seven balls from No. 8 helped England beat New Zealand on a challenging Premadasa pitch. Rehan, 21, has also played in the T20 Blast, the Big Bash League in Australia and the ILT20 in the UAE.
ECB Grants NOC
But he has been granted a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) by the ECB (he is centrally contracted) and travels to the IPL with a vote of confidence from Claude Henderson, his county director of cricket. “We are absolutely delighted for Rehan and incredibly proud as a club to see him earn this opportunity,” Henderson said. “To see one of our own stepping onto one of the biggest stages in world cricket is a fantastic moment for us all. We’re excited to watch him go and express himself, and we’ll be right behind him every step of the way before welcoming him back to Leicester.”
Delhi Capitals Current Standing in IPL 2026
Delhi are fifth on the points table at the moment, following a stunning win over the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru. They have secured three wins and lost three this season and following which, the team must be looking for some consistency. In the meantime, Australia pacer Mitchell Starc is yet to join the squad for the tournament.
Read More: Ravindra Jadeja Shows Why Smart Batting Still Matters in T20 Cricket
FAQs
Who has replaced Ben Duckett in Delhi Capitals for IPL 2026?
England’s leg-spin bowling all-rounder Rehan Ahmed has replaced Ben Duckett in the Delhi Capitals squad for the remainder of IPL 2026.
How much is Rehan Ahmed’s deal worth?
Rehan Ahmed has joined Delhi Capitals in a deal worth ₹75 lakh, significantly lower than Ben Duckett’s original ₹2 crore auction price.
Why did Ben Duckett withdraw from IPL 2026?
Duckett withdrew to focus on his international career with England and manage his physical and mental workload after a poor Ashes series, prioritizing preparation for England’s home summer.
Will Ben Duckett face any penalty for his withdrawal?
Yes, his late withdrawal is likely to earn him a two-year ban from the IPL as per league rules, similar to Harry Brook who is serving a ban for withdrawing from DC before IPL 2025.
Is this Rehan Ahmed’s first IPL appearance?
Yes, this will be Rehan Ahmed’s maiden stint in the IPL, though he has previously played in other T20 leagues including the Big Bash League, T20 Blast, ILT20, and The Hundred.
