Delhi Capitals trials spotlight emerging talent ahead of squad overhaul
Karnataka’s Shubhang Hegde and Bengal’s Karan Lal lead impression list as franchise seeks depth for upcoming auction.
Delhi Capitals have conducted talent identification trials at the Just Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, aiming to secure emerging players to bolster their squad ahead of the upcoming auction. The sessions were overseen by incoming head coach Sourav Ganguly and batting coach Yuvraj Singh, who are set to assume leadership roles within the franchise’s coaching structure.
Karnataka’s Shubhang Hegde and Bengal’s Karan Lal emerged as the standout performers during the two practice games, impressing the new coaching staff with comprehensive all-round displays. Their ability to impact the game with both bat and ball has positioned them as key figures to watch during the auction process later this year.
Hegde, 25, enters the trials following a strong season in the Maharaja T20 Trophy with the Bengaluru Blasters. He recorded 280 runs at a strike rate of 139.30 and claimed 14 wickets at an economy rate of 7.62. His statistical output, combined with his trial performance, highlighted his utility as a dual-threat player for the franchise.
Vidarbha’s Aman Mokhade also made a significant impression on the coaching staff, with his consistency with the bat standing out during the camp. The trials additionally featured several mystery spinners, including Shivam Shukla from Madhya Pradesh and Ravikiran M from Andhra Pradesh, who drew positive attention for their bowling variations.
The Delhi Capitals are seeking a structural overhaul for the upcoming season after finishing sixth in the IPL 2026 campaign. Described as perennial underachievers with their best result being a final appearance in 2020, the franchise is utilising these trials to identify depth and potential new assets.
A roster of players attended the Bengaluru camp, including Ayush Vartak, Sukhdeep Bajwa, Tripuresh Singh, Aarya Desai, Eden Apple Tom, Shubham Rana, Rohit Yadav, B Yeswanth, and Rahul Kumar. The performances observed during these sessions will likely inform the team’s strategy as they prepare for the auction.
