Delhi Capitals Sign Rehan Ahmed as Replacement for Ben Duckett in IPL 2026

Rehan Ahmed Joins Delhi Capitals

On Thursday, Delhi Capitals (DC) announced the signing of England's leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed as a replacement for Ben Duckett for the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season.

Rehan, a right-arm leg-spinner, has made appearances in five Tests, nine ODIs, and 13 T20Is for England, accumulating a total of 49 international wickets. His contract with Delhi Capitals is valued at Rs 75 Lakh, as per the IPL announcement.

Ben Duckett Withdraws for England Commitments

In March, England batsman Ben Duckett decided to withdraw from his IPL 2026 contract with Delhi Capitals. He aims to ensure he is in optimal physical and mental condition ahead of England's summer schedule.

Duckett, who has yet to play in the IPL, was acquired for Rs 2 crore during the IPL 2026 auction held in December. He has chosen to focus on preparing for England's home summer, which includes three Tests against New Zealand in June and another three Tests against Pakistan in August and September. Additionally, England will host India for five T20Is and three ODIs in July.

Duckett's Difficult Decision

In an Instagram story, Ben Duckett expressed that withdrawing from the IPL was a challenging choice. He emphasized the importance of being physically and mentally prepared to perform at his best for England's upcoming fixtures. "I have made the extremely difficult decision to withdraw from the IPL. This choice was not made lightly, as representing England has been a lifelong dream. To achieve this, I must ensure I am in the best possible condition ahead of the summer," he stated.

Duckett also extended his apologies to Delhi Capitals and their supporters for any inconvenience caused by his decision. He expressed regret for missing the chance to represent the franchise, stating, "I was genuinely excited about the opportunity to play for Delhi, and I appreciate the effort that goes into assembling a team. I apologize for any disruption my choice may cause, and I understand how much this means to the fans in Delhi."

Upcoming Match for Delhi Capitals

The Delhi Capitals are set to face the unbeaten Punjab Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on April 25.