The start of IPL 2026 will see some big teams without their key fast bowlers. Delhi Capitals have received a major setback as Mitchell Starc will miss the early matches of the season.
Starc now joins other Australian pacers such as Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, who are also expected to miss the opening phase of the tournament. Their absence could affect team strategies during the first few games.
Key Players Missing Early IPL 2026 Matches
Several top fast bowlers from Australia will not be available at the beginning of IPL 2026. Most of them are managing their workload ahead of an important international cricket schedule.
Players Likely to Miss Early IPL Matches
| Player | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc | Delhi Capitals | Workload management |
| Pat Cummins | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Late arrival due to international commitments |
| Josh Hazlewood | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Fitness and workload management |
These bowlers are important players for their teams, especially in the powerplay and death overs.
Impact on Delhi Capitals and Other Teams
Delhi Capitals may feel the biggest impact from Starc’s absence. The Australian left-arm pacer is known for his ability to take early wickets and control the final overs.
Without him in the first few matches, DC will have to depend on their other bowlers to lead the attack. The team management will hope that their squad depth helps them remain competitive until Starc joins the team.
Similarly, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will also need to adjust their bowling combinations during the opening games.
Also See : How Bangladesh’s Pace Attack Became One of the Best in ODI Cricket
What This Means for the Start of IPL 2026
The early phase of the tournament could see teams experimenting with different bowling combinations. Teams missing star players may give opportunities to younger or backup bowlers.
For fans, it also means some of the biggest fast bowlers in world cricket may join the tournament slightly later than expected.
Despite these absences, the opening matches are still expected to attract strong interest as teams begin their campaigns.
Teams are likely to update fans about player availability as the tournament approaches. Once their workload schedules are completed, players like Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood are expected to join their teams.
Franchises will continue preparing their squads while waiting for their star bowlers to arrive.
CricketMAN2 will continue to share updates about IPL 2026 squads, player availability, and tournament developments.
