IPL 2026: Top Players To Watch Out For At Arun Jaitely Stadium For DC Vs GT

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has once again reached Delhi. The Arun Jaitely Stadium is set to host the 14th match of IPL 2026 between the Delhi Capitals (DC) and the Gujarat Titans (GT). While the home team is ready to make its third consecutive win of the season, the visitors are gearing up to open their account. The DC Vs GT matchup is the second game of the season at this iconic venue and will continue to host further IPL 2026 matches. Although India has not lost an IPL in over 35 years, the stadium has a rich history of its own.

The story begins in 1883, when the British needed a cricket ground near the ruins of Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq's 14th-century palace. What they created as an "open ground near Feroz Shah Tughlaq's palace" became the second-oldest functional international cricket stadium in India, trailing only Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

The venue started as the "Wellingdon Pavilion" - a name that reveals its colonial origins but has been largely forgotten by younger fans. The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), founded that same year in 1883, took control and has maintained operations for over 140 years. This single fact would prove crucial to understanding everything that followed. The ground sits on historically significant land - literally within the fortified city of Ferozabad, established in 1354 CE. This proximity to ancient ruins gives the stadium its unique character, but also creates a legal constraint that prevents new construction and limits modernisation options.

Today's Arun Jaitley Stadium can accommodate 35,200 spectators across multiple stands. The venue underwent a major renovation in 2023 at a cost of 114.5 crores, funded through an unprecedented alliance between the DDCA and IPL franchise Delhi Capitals, who invested approximately 75 crores and took year-round maintenance responsibility. The BCCI contributed an additional 50 crores specifically for World Cup infrastructure upgrades. The renovations included two top-notch hospitality boxes, improved accessibility for differently-abled persons, and what officials call a "sun's canopy shade." Electronic boundaries, bigger screens, and better seating arrangements were also added. However, the stadium's tech and modern features remain limited compared to newer venues. The comprehensive scoreboard isn't visible from the top floor of the East stand, and pillars still block seats throughout the facility. The renovation addressed some issues, but couldn't solve fundamental design flaws built into the structure decades ago.

Walking into the Kotla as a regular fan still reveals why many supporters once called it 'Gutka Mahal' because pan masala ads used to dominate every pillar and boundary board. But in 2025, after health ministry pressure and BCCI guidelines, the worst of the tobacco ads are gone. Seating varies dramatically in quality and price. The Old Clubhouse's first floor offers the best views at around 10,000 rupees, while Hill A Hospitality costs over 20,000 rupees with buffet included. Budget-conscious fans can find reasonable options in the North Stand, though the East first floor at 2,500 rupees provides a good middle ground.

The atmosphere itself varies wildly. For marquee matches, fans describe an "electric atmosphere" with "enthusiastic Delhi crowds" and modern "light and sound shows" creating a "surreal" experience. But for less significant games, observers note the "crowd practising social distancing" with "the breeze having more presence than the crowd."

October 1999 stands as Kotla's most legendary moment. Anil Kumble's perfect 10-wicket haul against Pakistan - 10 for 74 runs - made him only the second bowler in Test cricket history to achieve this feat. The crowd erupted as India won by 212 runs, cementing the venue's reputation as a fortress.

The ground has witnessed other milestone moments that define Indian cricket. In 1983, Sunil Gavaskar hit his 29th Test century here, equaling Don Bradman's then-record tally. Twenty-two years later, Sachin Tendulkar surpassed Gavaskar's record by scoring his 35th Test century against Sri Lanka at the same venue.

Did you know? The 1952 Test against Pakistan saw Hemu Adhikari and Ghulam Ahmed create a record 10th-wicket stand of 109 runs that still stands today. S Venkataraghavan's debut series in 1965 featured devastating figures of 8 for 72 and 4 for 80 against New Zealand. In 1969-70, the legendary spin duo of Bishan Singh Bedi and Erapalli Prasanna combined for 18 wickets, spinning India to a famous seven-wicket victory over Australia.

The venue holds extreme statistical records, too. West Indies scored their highest Test total of 644 for 8 here in 1959, while India recorded their lowest score of 75 all out against the same team in 1987. That 1987 match represents India's last Test defeat at the venue - they haven't lost here since.

A unique tribute occurred in 2017 when the "Ashish Nehra End" was named for one day during his farewell match, making him only the second bowler in cricket history to bowl from an end named after him. December 2009 delivered cricket's most embarrassing moment. The ODI between India and Sri Lanka was abandoned mid-match because the pitch was deemed "unfit and dangerous" with "atrocious uneven bounce." This wasn't just a bad surface - the International Cricket Council banned the entire stadium from hosting international cricket for 12 months.

The pitch problems continued to plague the venue's reputation. In December 2017, the Test against Sri Lanka made global headlines when players complained of breathing difficulties due to severe air pollution. Sri Lankan players wore masks and even vomited, while India coach Ravi Shastri was reportedly angry about the complaints. This incident sparked worldwide debate about playing conditions in polluted cities.

Here are the top 5 players from the Delhi Capitals to watch out for

The big-hitting player from UP first became popular in the UP T20 League a few years ago. Because of his performance, CSK bought him for ₹8.4 crore in the IPL 2024 auction. However, he had a poor season and was later released. His comeback started when DC picked him in the mega auction. He didn’t get many chances last season but ended IPL 2025 on a good note by scoring a half-century. After an average performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he was not a regular in the team this season. But now, with two match-winning performances under pressure, he has earned his place in the playing XI.

KL Rahul is one of the best batters in modern IPL cricket, known for his elegant style and powerful hitting. He made history in 2018 by scoring the fastest IPL fifty in just 14 balls. He has crossed 500 runs in six different seasons, including a brilliant 2020 campaign where he won the Orange Cap and scored 132*, the highest score by an Indian in the tournament at that time. Delhi Capitals bought him for ₹14 Crore in the 2025 auction, and he delivered immediately, scoring 539 runs, including a stunning 112*. He has been retained for 2026 and will remain the backbone of Delhi's batting lineup.

David Miller is a world-class left-handed power-hitter from South Africa, famous for finishing matches in impossible situations. In 2013, he smashed a 38-ball century for Punjab Kings, the fourth-fastest in IPL history. Over the years, he has played for Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Gujarat Titans, and Lucknow Super Giants. He was part of the Gujarat Titans' title-winning team in 2022. Delhi Capitals picked him up for ₹2 Crore ahead of the 2026 season. With over 3,000 IPL runs and a career strike rate of around 138, his experience and ability to win matches in tough situations will be extremely valuable for Delhi.

Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav is one of the most skillful spin bowlers in the IPL, known for his tricky googlies and ability to turn the ball on any pitch. He has been the Delhi Capitals' most dangerous bowler for several seasons, most notably taking 21 wickets in 2022. He also played a key role in India's 2024 T20 World Cup title win, finishing as their leading spin wicket-taker. In the 2025 season, he was Delhi's top wicket-taker with 15 scalps at an impressive economy rate. Delhi Capitals have retained him for the 2026 season, and he will once again be their most important weapon with the ball.

Lungi Ngidi is a tall and fast right-arm pace bowler from Durban, South Africa. He is known for his ability to swing the new ball and bowl effective slower deliveries, making him dangerous in both the powerplay and death overs. He made a big impact in the IPL during Chennai Super Kings' 2018 title-winning campaign, taking 11 wickets in just seven matches at an average of 14.18. After a stint with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2025, Delhi Capitals signed him for ₹2 Crore ahead of the 2026 season. In the absence of Mitchell Starc, he and Mukesh Kumar will form a strong and experienced pace attack for Delhi.

Here are the top 5 players from the Gujarat Titans to watch out for

In 2020 and 2021, Gill was KKR's highest run-scorer in both seasons. After joining the Gujarat Titans in 2022, he helped the franchise win its debut IPL title. He then scored 890 runs in 2023 with three centuries, winning the Orange Cap, and hit the IPL's 100th ton in 2024. In IPL 2025, he scored 650 runs, his second-best season and his sixth straight season with 400-plus runs.

Jos Buttler

After being promoted to open the batting mid-tournament in 2018, Buttler became only the second batsman in IPL history to achieve five scores of fifty or more in consecutive matches. His most remarkable season came in 2022, when he piled up 863 runs, including four centuries, equalling the record for most centuries in a single IPL season, and winning the Orange Cap and the Most Valuable Player award. After joining the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025, he scored 538 runs with five half-centuries at a strike rate of 163.03.

Sai Sudarshan

Sudarshan made his mark in IPL 2023 with 362 runs, including a stunning 96 in the final against CSK. His IPL 2024 campaign saw him become the fastest Indian to reach 1,000 IPL runs in just 25 innings during his century against CSK. In IPL 2025, he won the Orange Cap after amassing 759 runs, becoming the youngest player to win the award as well as the youngest to cross 700 runs in a single IPL season.

Siraj made history in 2020 by becoming the first bowler to bowl two maiden overs in an IPL match. He was bought by the Gujarat Titans for a staggering ₹12.25 crore in the 2025 auction, having built a reputation for swinging the new ball and striking early in the powerplay. A landmark moment came in 2025 when he claimed a spell of 3/23 against SRH to take his 100th career IPL wicket, leading GT to a crucial victory.

Rashid Khan

In his five seasons with Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rashid was a totemic presence, taking 93 wickets at an economy rate of 6.33. After joining the Gujarat Titans in 2022, he took 19 wickets to help them secure the title in their debut season. In 2023, he claimed 27 wickets, including GT's first-ever IPL hat-trick against KKR, and dazzled with a blistering 79* off 32 balls against the Mumbai Indians.