Mitchell Starc is back and the timing couldn’t be more important for Delhi Capitals. After a rough stretch that included three straight losses and a record low total of 75 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, DC needed something to shift the momentum.
The old man’s return brings that hope. But the challenge that awaits him is not exactly mild. Delhi are up against an in-form Rajasthan Royals team, fueled by the fearless hitting of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has dismantled some of the best bowlers in the tournament this season.
IPL 2026, RR vs DC: Update | Scorecard
At the draw, DC captain Axar Patel confirmed Starc’s return while hinting at a few tactical changes to the XI.
“Starc is playing, Chameera is not playing. Pathum is playing, which means David Miller is sitting. Ashok Sharma is there, so there are three changes. We have three changes, the wicket looks good and we are happy to chase. It is important to go back to the basics. You have to stay present to turn things around, focus on the body language,” said Axarx very important.
Starc missed the opening leg of IPL 2026 due to shoulder and elbow problems picked up during the Big Bash League and has since worked his way back to full fitness.
MITCHELL STARC VS VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI
This is a contest that stands out.
Sooryavanshi was one of the stories of the season. With a strike rate well above 200 and over 350 runs already, the teenager played without hesitation and took on the best bowlers across the teams.
He has already taken care of Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood this season and shows no signs of slowing down.
Now comes Starc.
A left-arm quick with pace, angle and experience, Starc brings a different challenge. He’s more than just a returning player for DC. He is their best tool to overcome the early momentum that RR often creates.
It’s another test for Sooryavanshi. And so far this season, he hasn’t backed down from any.
WHY IS DAVID MILLER NOT PLAYING RR VS DC?
One of the bigger surprises of the draw was the absence of DC’s David Miller from the playing XI.
Axar made it clear that it was a tactical call rather than a form. With the arrival of Starc, DC had to balance out its overseas lineup, which included Kyle Jamieson.
That meant Miller had to sit.
It’s a risk. Miller’s experience in the middle order has been valuable, especially in pressure situations. Without him, more responsibility will fall on the likes of Tristan Stubbs and Sameer Rizvi.
Against the RR bowling attack with Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger and Ravi Bishnoi, the stability of the middle order could be tested.
RR vs DC: Playing XI
Delhi Capitals playing XI: KL Rahul (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel (c), Ashutosh Sharma, Kyle Jamieson, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan
Rajasthan Royals playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubham Dubey, Jofra Archer, Ravi Bishnoi, Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma
Impact Subs
DCCast: David Miller, Vipraj Nigam, Karun Nair, Abishek Porel, Auqib Nabi Dar
RRCast: Adam Milne, Dasun Shanaka, Ravi Singh, Yash Raj Punja, Tushar Deshpande
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
May 1, 2026 19:24 IST
