Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is just around the corner, but Delhi Capitals (DC) camp is currently navigating a cloud of uncertainty regarding their primary strike bowler, Mitchell Starc. As the franchise prepares for its season opener against Lucknow Super Giants on April 1, the focus has shifted from tactical drills to administrative clearances. The 36-year-old left-arm pacer, a vital cog in the Capitals’ bowling machinery, finds his participation hanging in the balance as Cricket Australia (CA) adopts a conservative stance on player workload.
Delhi Capitals provide update on Mitchell Starc’s IPL 2026 participation status
During a high-stakes pre-season media interaction in New Delhi on Monday, March 23, the Delhi Capitals management addressed the growing speculation surrounding Starc. Head coach Hemang Badani was candid about the situation, admitting that the franchise is currently in a waiting game. Badani clarified that while Starc remains a core part of their plans, his arrival in India is strictly contingent on receiving a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Australian cricket board.
“We are waiting for an NOC from Cricket Australia, once we get that, then only we can say anything about Starc’s availability,” Badani stated to reporters.
Supporting this sentiment, DC’s Director of Cricket, Venugopal Rao, emphasized that the delay is primarily rooted in fitness protocols. Rao reassured fans that the intent is for Starc to join the squad, but the franchise must respect the medical guidelines set by Cricket Australia. Starc’s value to the team cannot be overstated; last season, he was the second-highest wicket-taker for the Capitals, claiming 14 scalps in 11 matches. Having been retained for a staggering ₹11.75 crore in the 2025 mega auction, his absence would leave a multi-million-dollar void in the DC pace attack.
“Starc will come, we just waiting for the NOC because his fitness is the concern. We are just waiting for it,” Rao added.
Australian pacers’ delayed arrival and ruling out from IPL 2026
The ‘Starc situation’ is not an isolated incident but rather part of a broader, calculated strategy by Cricket Australia to protect its elite fast-bowling stocks. With a gruelling international calendar ahead, including a potential 21 Test matches over the next year and the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon, CA has implemented strict return-to-play protocols. This move has had a domino effect across several IPL franchises.
While Starc is expected to miss the initial stage of the tournament, other Australian stars are facing similar hurdles:
- Pat Cummins (SRH) & Josh Hazlewood (RCB): Both are set to miss the opening matches for their respective teams under the same workload management plan. In a significant shift for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Ishan Kishan is expected to lead the side in Cummins’ absence.
- Nathan Ellis (CSK) & Jack Edwards (SRH): The news is bleaker for these two, who have been officially ruled out of the entire IPL 2026 season due to a hamstring and foot injury, respectively.
For the Delhi Capitals, the immediate strategy involves leaning on their depth. In Starc’s absence, the likes of Lungi Ngidi, T. Natarajan, and the rising domestic sensation Auqib Nabi Dar will be expected to shoulder the new-ball responsibilities. While captain Axar Patel remains optimistic that Starc could join at any time, the Capitals must be prepared to start their 2026 campaign without their most lethal weapon.
