Delhi Capitals are eagerly anticipating the arrival of Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. Starc, aged 36, is expected to miss the initial phase of the tournament as Cricket Australia monitors his workload for the busy international season. His absence will necessitate adjustments in DC’s bowling strategy, as he is a key component of their pace attack.
In the previous season, Starc emerged as the second-highest wicket-taker for the franchise, securing 14 wickets in 11 matches. DC retained him for Rs 11.75 crore after the 2025 auction. The team is scheduled to kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants on April 1 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium.
Delhi Capitals’ head coach, Hemang Badani, mentioned that they are currently awaiting Cricket Australia’s approval for Starc’s participation. Badani emphasized the importance of Starc receiving the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from Cricket Australia before joining the team. The franchise remains in close contact with Starc, monitoring his progress as they await the necessary clearance.
Venugopal Rao, the Director of Cricket for DC, assured that updates regarding Starc’s inclusion in IPL 2026 will be provided once his departure is confirmed. He highlighted the significance of Cricket Australia’s clearance concerning Starc’s workload and fitness. The team is closely monitoring the situation and will inform the public of any developments promptly.
DC captain Axar Patel expressed optimism about Starc’s potential availability, stating that the NOC could be granted before the start of the tournament. Patel acknowledged the challenge of finding a suitable replacement like-for-like, particularly with Indian left-arm pacer T Natarajan. The team is preparing for various scenarios and will make decisions based on the overall team balance and player combinations.
