Mitchell Starc has finally arrived at the Delhi Capitals camp, almost a month after IPL 2026, with the franchise even sharing a video of the Australian quickly bonding with the squad on their social media. However, the much-anticipated arrival did not translate into immediate selection for their clash against Punjab Kings on Saturday.
Starc was seen actively involved with the team ahead of the match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium as he went through bowling and fielding drills with his teammates just before time. The signals were encouraging but Delhi decided to contain him rather than rush him straight into the match action.
DC vs PBKS, IPL 2026: UPDATE
At the toss, DC captain Axar Patel opted to bat first and pointed out that the surface looked dry and could help the bowlers more in the second innings. It was a call given the conditions, but also one that underscored Delhi’s confidence that they can handle another game without Starc.
For now, Starc’s return remains a work in progress. He is back with the group but not ready to take the field yet.
WHY STARC MISSED DC vs PBKS?
Starc’s delayed IPL 2026 entry was due to shoulder and elbow problems that have kept him out since the Australian summer. Cricket Australia closely monitored his recovery before clearing him for the tournament earlier this week.
Even after arriving in India, Starc is still piling up the workload. The Delhi Capitals management wants to give him time to settle into the conditions and regain his match rhythm before bringing him into the playing XI. As things stand, he is expected to be available for their upcoming clash against Rajasthan Royals on May 1.
In his absence, the pace of Delhi’s attack has settled down. Lungi Ngidi led the way with seven wickets in six matches while Mukesh Kumar and T Natarajan provided solid support.
This balance allowed Delhi to be patient with Starc’s return. Rather than rushing him back, they are focusing on getting him fully ready for the second half of the season.
Starc’s impact from last year still lingers. Signed for Rs 11.75 crore, he picked up 14 wickets in 11 matches and brought pace and bite to the attack. That is the edge that Delhi will be hoping to add when he is ready for the match.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
25 Apr 2026 16:10 IST
