Delhi Capitals have received a major setback in IPL 2026 as star fast bowler Mitchell Starc is unlikely to return to the squad soon. The Australian pacer is dealing with shoulder and elbow issues, which has delayed his comeback to the tournament.
Starc was expected to join the Delhi Capitals squad this month, but the latest update suggests he may not be available before 20 April. This means he could miss several important matches in the early phase of the season.
Mitchell Starc’s Return to IPL 2026 Delayed
Mitchell Starc, who is now 36 years old, has not played competitive cricket for some time due to injury concerns. Delhi Capitals were hopeful that he would recover quickly and return to the team during April.
However, recent reports indicate that his recovery is taking longer than expected. Because of this, Starc may miss at least three more matches before he is ready to return.
Mitchell Starc Injury Situation
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Mitchell Starc |
| Team | Delhi Capitals |
| Age | 36 |
| Injury | Shoulder and Elbow Issues |
| Expected Return | After 20 April 2026 |
| Matches Likely to Miss | At least 3 matches |
His absence has created a gap in the Delhi Capitals pace attack, especially during the early part of the IPL season.
Delhi Capitals Performance Without Starc
Even without their star fast bowler, Delhi Capitals have managed to stay competitive in IPL 2026. The team has performed well with the ball and maintained a balanced approach in their matches.
DC’s bowling unit has been one of the most economical in the tournament so far. Other bowlers have stepped up and helped control the opposition scoring.
Another factor affecting the bowling plans is the absence of Auqib Nabi from the regular attack. The team has been trying different bowling combinations to fill this gap.
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Delhi Capitals Bowling Situation
| Factor | Status |
|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc | Injured and unavailable |
| Auqib Nabi | Not part of regular bowling attack |
| Bowling Strategy | Rotating bowlers and trying new combinations |
| Team Performance | Economical bowling in early matches |
Sameer Rizvi Steps Up With The Bat
Delhi Capitals have also seen encouraging performances from their batting lineup. Interestingly, some of the key contributions have come from players who were not expected to lead the scoring charts.
Sameer Rizvi has impressed in recent matches, especially when used as an impact substitute. His performances have shown that DC has good depth in their batting unit.
This ability to rely on different players has helped the team stay competitive even when some regular stars are unavailable.
What Starc’s Absence Means for Delhi Capitals
Mitchell Starc is one of the most experienced fast bowlers in world cricket. His ability to bowl with pace, swing, and control makes him an important player for Delhi Capitals.
Without him, the team will need other pacers to take more responsibility. The captain and coaching staff will also need to manage the bowling rotation carefully to maintain balance in the attack.
The management may experiment with different bowling combinations in the early matches to find the best lineup while Starc remains unavailable.
Impact on Delhi Capitals Strategy
| Area | Impact |
|---|---|
| Pace Attack | Increased pressure on other fast bowlers |
| Team Strategy | More rotation among bowlers |
| Bowling Combinations | Possible experimentation |
| Squad Depth | Opportunity for other players to step up |
Delhi Capitals Waiting for Starc’s Comeback
Delhi Capitals will now hope that Mitchell Starc recovers quickly and returns to action soon. The current expectation is that he could rejoin the team after 20 April, but the final decision will depend on his fitness and medical advice.
Until then, the team will continue relying on their current squad and look for strong performances from players stepping into bigger roles.
Fans will be hoping to see Starc back in the Delhi Capitals jersey soon, as his presence would strengthen the team’s bowling attack for the rest of the IPL 2026 season.
