Delhi Capitals will begin IPL 2026 without one of their key bowlers. Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc will not play the opening matches of the tournament as he plans to manage his workload.
The IPL 2026 season begins on March 28, but Starc has informed the Delhi Capitals management that he will join the team later.
Reason for Starc’s Absence
Mitchell Starc’s decision is linked to workload management. Cricket Australia is taking a careful approach to protect its fast bowlers ahead of a busy international schedule.
Australia has several important bilateral series coming up, including matches against strong teams like South Africa. Because of this, the board and Starc decided that resting at the start of the IPL would help him stay fit for the rest of the season.
This approach aims to reduce injury risk and keep him fresh for international cricket.
Starc’s Recent Workload and Form
The experienced left-arm fast bowler has played a heavy schedule across formats over the past year.
During the last 12 months, Starc bowled more deliveries in Test cricket than most bowlers around the world. Among Indian bowlers, only Mohammed Siraj delivered more balls in Test matches during that period.
To manage his fitness, Starc retired from T20 internationals late last year. He also took a short break during the T20 World Cup 2026.
His most recent competitive cricket appearance came in the Big Bash League, where he performed well.
Also See : Ruturaj Gaikwad Should Remain CSK Captain, Says AB de Villiers Ahead of IPL 2026
Mitchell Starc – Recent T20 Performance
| Tournament | Matches | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| Big Bash League | 5 | 10 |
Despite stepping away from international T20 cricket, Starc remains an effective bowler in franchise tournaments.
Starc’s IPL 2025 Performance for Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals signed Mitchell Starc for INR 11.75 crore during the IPL 2025 auction.
He played an important role for the team during the season and was one of their leading wicket-takers.
Mitchell Starc – IPL 2025 Stats
| Stat | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 11 | IPL 2025 season |
| Wickets | 14 | Among DC’s top bowlers |
| Strike Rate | 15.40 | Strong wicket-taking rate |
| Best Bowling | 5/35 | Best performance of the season |
| Role | Second-highest wicket-taker for DC | Key fast bowler |
Delhi Capitals started IPL 2025 strongly but lost momentum during the final phase of the league stage.
The team finished fifth in the standings with 15 points and narrowly missed qualification for the playoffs.
Other Australian Pacers Missing Early IPL Matches
Mitchell Starc is not the only Australian fast bowler who will miss the start of IPL 2026.
Several other players are also managing their workload or dealing with injuries.
Australian Fast Bowlers Availability
| Player | Team | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc | Delhi Capitals | Missing early matches |
| Pat Cummins | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Not available at start |
| Josh Hazlewood | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Not available at start |
| Nathan Ellis | Chennai Super Kings | Likely to miss season due to injury |
Nathan Ellis suffered a serious right hamstring injury during the One-Day Cup final in Hobart. Because of the injury, he may not be able to participate in IPL 2026.
Impact on Delhi Capitals
Starc’s absence at the start of the tournament means Delhi Capitals will need to rely on their other bowlers in the opening matches.
The team management hopes he will join the squad soon after the initial fixtures and strengthen the bowling attack during the season.
Starc’s experience and ability in both the powerplay and death overs make him an important player for Delhi Capitals.
Delhi Capitals fans will be waiting to see when Mitchell Starc joins the team during IPL 2026.
Once he returns, his pace and wicket-taking ability could play a major role in the team’s campaign.
