Unsold BBL Star from IPL 2026 Auction Spotted Training With Delhi Capitals, Set to Join as Ben Duckett Replacement?

He had scored 307 runs in 12 matches for the Hobart Hurricanes, striking at a fierce rate of 153.50.

Star spin-bowling all-rounder Nikhil Chaudhary had made it to the headlines in November 2025 after becoming only the second Indian player to notch up a hundred (163) in Australia’s domestic first-class tournament, the Sheffield Shield. However, his recent images of training with the Delhi Capitals (DC) have surfaced on the internet, potentially indicating the chances of him joining the squad as Ben Duckett’s replacement.

MI and DC training at the Kotla. Delhi-born Nikhil Chaudhary, who plays for Tasmania and Hobart Hurricanes, is here training with Capitals. He had entered the auction as an overseas player but went unsold. #IPL pic.twitter.com/9Pm9b6lTji
— Vivek Krishnan (@vivek9301) April 3, 2026

Earlier, the star England wicketkeeper-batter had refused to participate in the IPL 2026 to focus on his red-ball game. This has vacated an overseas slot for DC, and Nikhil could be the perfect fit for the franchise. Initially, the Punjab-based all-rounder had registered as an uncapped local player for the IPL 2026 mini auction.

But as per the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rules, no Indian player can take part in the foreign tournaments before retiring from Indian cricket. Notably, the 29-year-old had already represented the Hobart Hurricanes for two seasons in the Big Bash League (BBL) till then, while also playing for Tasmania in the domestic circuit. This led to a change in Nikhil’s status, as he was later enrolled as an overseas player for the IPL 2026.

However, he did not manage to get a bid from any of the franchises in the mini auction. Nikhil was a vital cog behind the Hurricanes’ third-place finish in the latest edition of the league and could also prove to be a valuable addition in DC’s IPL 2026 squad. But the team is yet to share any information regarding the same.

ALSO READ:

Delhi Capitals Would Look to Continue Momentum in First IPL 2026 Home Match

After breaking the streak of home teams winning their first fixtures of the IPL 2026 by defeating the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Axar Patel and Co. would be eager to carry forward the same momentum in Delhi. Chasing a below-par total of only 142, the team had found themselves in trouble after losing four wickets for just 26 runs under five overs.

Though a commendable show from Sameer Rizvi (70*) and Tristan Stubbs (39*) had pulled off the win, DC would want to put up a more comprehensive display against the Mumbai Indians (MI) tomorrow.

For more updates, follow CricXtasy on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.