Delhi Capitals (DC) will begin their IPL 2026 campaign with continuity in leadership, as Axar Patel continues as captain for the second straight season. Having taken charge after Rishabh Pant’s departure ahead of IPL 2025, Axar now carries the responsibility of taking the franchise a step further. After finishing fifth last season, Delhi will be eager to break new ground and chase their first-ever IPL title. One of their biggest advantages this year is stability at home – they will play all seven of their home matches at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, giving them consistent conditions and strong crowd support throughout the league stage.

The team also enters the season with a fresh look at the top of the order. KL Rahul is set to open alongside Pathum Nissanka, forming a new partnership that blends experience with composure. England’s Ben Duckett was initially in contention for the role but withdrew at the last moment, forcing a change in plans. Meanwhile, Prithvi Shaw makes a return to the squad after going unsold in the previous auction, adding further depth to the batting lineup. Delhi’s schedule soon takes them on a challenging southern tour in mid-April, with away fixtures against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). This stretch will test their adaptability across different conditions and venues.

Following this demanding phase, the schedule shifts in Delhi’s favour. They return home for a crucial run, playing four of their next five matches at the Arun Jaitley Stadium – against Punjab Kings (PBKS), RCB and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), with only a brief trip to Jaipur to face Rajasthan Royals (RR) on May 1. This home-heavy stretch could prove decisive in their push for the playoffs. Delhi will also play two afternoon fixtures – against Mumbai Indians (MI) on April 4 and PBKS on April 25 – requiring them to adjust to different playing conditions. They conclude their league campaign against KKR at Eden Gardens on May 24, with a short break beforehand to recover. With additions like David Miller, Lungi Ngidi and promising all-rounder Auqib Nabi, alongside the pace of Mitchell Starc and Kyle Jamieson, DC have the squad depth to mount a serious challenge this season.

Also READ: SWOT analysis of Delhi Capitals – DC’s report card ahead of IPL 2026

Delhi Capitals Full IPL 2026 Schedule

• April 1 – Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals – Lucknow – 7:30PM IST
• April 4 – Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians – Delhi – 7:30PM IST
• April 8 – Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans – Delhi – 7:30PM IST
• April 11 – Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals – Chennai – 7:30PM IST
• April 18 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals – Bengaluru – 3:30PM IST
• April 21 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Capitals – Hyderabad – 7:30PM IST
• April 25 – Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings – Delhi – 3:30PM IST
• April 27 – Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Delhi – 7:30PM IST
• May 1 – Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals – Jaipur – 7:30PM IST
• May 5 – Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings – Delhi – 7:30PM IST
• May 8 – Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders – Delhi – 7:30PM IST
• May 11 – Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals – Dharamshala – 7:30PM IST
• May 17 – Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals – Delhi – 7:30PM IST
• May 24 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals – Kolkata – 7:30PM IST

Also READ: Kris Srikkanth names his playing XI of Delhi Capitals (DC) for IPL 2026

Delhi Capitals Mitchell Starc, with captain Axar Patel, left, and Mohit Sharma (PTI Photo)

Injuries have already begun to reshape plans for several teams ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 season, with a number of key players unavailable at the start. Among the biggest concerns are the absences of Australian fast bowlers Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, all of whom are expected to miss at least the opening phase. While Hazlewood has already linked up with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Cummins’ recovery is being monitored by Sunrisers Hyderabad, the situation around Starc remains uncertain. According to head coach Daniel Vettori, a decision on Cummins’ availability will be taken in the next 10 to 12 days. In contrast, Starc’s return timeline is still unclear, with Delhi Capitals awaiting clearance from Cricket Australia. The uncertainty around Starc sparked reactions from fans, one of whom questioned his absence on social media after spotting him at a golf course alongside his wife Alyssa Healy and other athletes.

Alyssa Healy response to a fan

“This is so unfair to us Delhi Capitals fan that Hazelwood and Cummins despite being injured will be available for their teams but you wont be,” the fan wrote. Healy responded sharply, defending Starc’s situation. “Probably cause he’s injured mate…if he can’t bowl how’s he supposed to play?!” She added, “If he was fully fit he’d be there.” Delhi Capitals had built much of their bowling strategy around Starc’s pace and ability with the new ball, and his absence has forced the team to reassess their plans. Despite that setback, the franchise believes it has the depth to compete, combining experienced names with new additions. Last season, Delhi Capitals started strongly with four consecutive wins but lost momentum later, eventually finishing fifth and missing out on the playoffs for the fourth year in a row. As IPL 2026 begins on March 28, Delhi will be aiming to end that run and finally push for their first title, even as they navigate early challenges with key players unavailable.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday unveiled its ‘Payments Vision 2028’ document, outlining a roadmap that includes exploring electronic cheques, expanding regulatory oversight to digital platforms, and strengthening safeguards in the fast-growing payments ecosystem, PTI reported.The central bank said it will examine the introduction of e-cheques to combine the advantages of paper instruments with the speed and reliability of digital payments. “To leverage the unique benefits of paper-based instruments and the speed and reliability of electronic payments, and cater to new business use cases, the introduction of electronic cheques in India shall be explored,” the RBI said.Alongside, the RBI is considering widening the regulatory ambit to include entities such as e-commerce marketplaces and centralised platforms that play a growing role in facilitating digital transactions.“In addition, e-commerce marketplaces and centralized platforms have been assuming significant responsibilities that could have implications on the orderly functioning of the payments ecosystem. These aspects shall be examined in detail and, if required, the scope of direct regulations shall be extended to cover such entities,” the document said.The vision document also proposes allowing users to enable or disable transactions across digital payment modes, similar to controls available for card transactions.To address fraud risks, the RBI is exploring a “shared responsibility framework” under which both the issuing bank and the beneficiary bank would share liability in cases of unauthorised digital transactions.The central bank also plans to review cheque design and security features, introduce a Domestic Legal Entity Identifier (DLEI) framework for better transaction traceability, and bring in a Cyber Key Risk Indicators (KRI) framework for non-bank payment system operators.Other initiatives include exploring white-label solutions in the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS), developing interoperability in the Trade Receivables e-Discounting System (TReDS), and introducing a ‘Payments Switching Service’ to ease customer migration across platforms.The RBI said it will also review the cross-border payments ecosystem to improve efficiency and streamline authorisation processes, alongside publishing periodic reports on global and domestic payment trends.Additionally, the central bank aims to enhance access to payment data and reimagine the card payments ecosystem by promoting secure tokenisation, improved transparency in pricing, and greater choice for users and merchants.

A 10-year-old girl died in Maharashtra’s Sangli district after her father allegedly hung her upside down at their home and kept her in that position overnight, police said on Friday. The man had reportedly tortured the child on suspicion that she had stolen money from a relative.The accused, farmer Dadu alias Nana Yamgar, has been apprehended. Police said he also subjected the girl’s 11-year-old sister to similar torture. The elder sister is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital.The incident came to light on Thursday after doctors informed police in Atpadi taluka about the death of the girl, identified as Rutuja.Other family members, including Yamgar’s father, tried to intervene and rescue the girls, but he allegedly threatened them with a sickle, police said. As a result, both girls remained hanging upside down throughout the night. Police added that even Rutuja’s repeated pleas for water did not move him.“Yamgar hung his two daughters – Rutuja and Anuja – upside down by tying their hands and legs to an iron angle installed on a wall of their house below the ceiling. He was angry as he suspected that both the girls had stolen money from a relative’s house at Banpuri in Atpadi,” a police official was quoted as saying by PTI.Police said both girls were found unconscious in the morning and were brought down by family members. The sisters were then rushed to a government-run hospital, but Rutuja’s condition worsened.She died while being taken to a hospital in Pandharpur in Solapur district, police said. Her elder sister, Anuja, is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital.The matter came to light after hospital authorities alerted the police, following which the girls’ father was taken into custody. Police said the accused is suspected to be mentally unstable.A case has been registered against Yamgar under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and further investigation is underway.

Kharg Island, left, and Qeshm Island

US President Donald Trump is weighing several military options against Iran, with a focus on key islands in the Persian Gulf. The islands are strategically important because of their proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy chokepoint, and their role in Iran’s oil industry and military defenses. Officials caution that taking and holding Iranian territory would be far riskier than any US action so far in the conflict.The Pentagon is reportedly developing plans for a knockout blow, which could include ground and bombing operations, multiple sources tell Axios’ Barak Ravid. Options on the table include seizing ships near the Strait of Hormuz or invading specific islands, including Iran’s main oil export hub, Kharg Island.

Kharg Island

Roughly 15 miles off Iran’s coast, Kharg Island handles about 90% of the country’s crude oil exports. The island also contains freshwater resources that help sustain thousands of residents and major infrastructure. Its deep waters allow large oil tankers to dock, meaning a direct hit could quickly disrupt Iran’s oil exports, much of which flow to China.Invading and holding Kharg, however, would put US forces more directly in the line of fire than the ongoing aerial campaign. US officials have also discussed a blockade of the island as leverage to convince Iran to cut a deal.

Larak Island

Larak Island lies at the narrowest point of the Strait of Hormuz and is a key point for Iran’s oil exports. Iran uses Larak, which has a network of bunkers and attack craft capable of destroying cargo ships, to monitor and maintain control over the strait.Seizing Larak could limit Iran’s ability to harass ships and deploy mines in the strait, and possibly help the US break Iran’s chokehold on traffic. However, the island is heavily fortified and would be a challenging target.

Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb

Abu Musa and the Tunbs islands sit near the western entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, between Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Though claimed by the UAE, Iran has forcefully occupied them since 1971. The islands serve as Iranian military outposts equipped with missiles, drones, and mine-laying capabilities.The Pentagon has reportedly suggested seizing Abu Musa. Speaker of Iranian parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote on X on Wednesday that Iranian intelligence suggests “Iran’s enemies, with the support of a country in the region, are preparing an operation to occupy one of Iran’s islands.” He added, “If they take any action, all the vital infrastructure of that regional country will be targeted without limitation by relentless attacks.”

Qeshm Island

Qeshm is the largest island in the Persian Gulf, located off Iran’s southern coast near the Strait of Hormuz. The island stores anti-ship missiles, mines, drones, and other attack craft in underground tunnels. According to Al Jazeera, Qeshm is sometimes described as “a cork in the world’s most vital energy transit passage.”Iran has accused the US of attacking a desalination plant on Qeshm in the early days of the war, disrupting water supplies to local villages, an allegation the US has denied. At about 558 square miles, Qeshm would be a massive target, and there are no signs of a planned occupation.

Rajpal Yadav has been in the news after he was sent to Tihar jail in Rs 9 crore debt case. The actor is now out on bail while the matter is still in court. The actor will be seen next in ‘Bhooth Bangla’ alongside Akshay Kumar. Rajpal has even been promoting the film with Akshay and director Priyadarshan. In a recent interview, Akshay has reacted to Rajpal’s case while recalling an advice given to him by the late Asrani. For those not in the know, Asrani passed away in October last year and his last two films were with Akshay and Priyadarshan. The late actor will also be seen in ‘Bhooth Bangla’. Akshay recalled that Asrani had once advised him to not produce films. The ‘Khiladi’ actor said in an interview with Screen, “I have done a lot of films with him. In his last days, he shared a couple of things from his life with me. He spoke about the time he faced the biggest stress of his life, he had told me, never produce a film. He said, ‘Akshay, don’t ever produce a film, it was the biggest mistake of my life when I put in my own money. When you produce a film with someone else’s money, it’s fine, the risk and profit is their’s, when you think of earning more for yourself by putting in your money, it never sits well.’ He had produced a film and faced huge losses. It was a good film, but it didn’t work. He said he lost his life savings because of that. So he told me never to produce by putting in your own money.”