‘Ahead of my grade’: DC coach Badani questions Cricket Australia’s decision to release Starc late

Mitchell Starc and Hemang Badani NEW DELHI: Delhi Capitals kept their slim IPL 2026 playoff hopes alive with a five-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals on Sunday, but even after the victory, the focus remained on the season-long issue that has repeatedly dogged their campaign – player availability.The win took DC to 12 points, level with Chennai Super Kings and RR, although they remain seventh on net run rate. With one match remaining against Kolkata Knight Riders – the last league game of the season – DC’s fate could still be decided before they even take the field.After the Delhi match, head coach Hemang Badani addressed one of the biggest themes of DC’s season: the intermittent availability of key overseas players, particularly Mitchell Starc. “Ideally I want my players from day one”Badani made it clear that losing access to players due to the national board’s decisions has left franchises with little control.“Ideally I would like my players to be available from day one. Starc is probably one of my biggest players in my team and we have invested in him and we know he is a match winner,” he said.“But if there are certain things that are above my pay grade and certain things that are decided by the association and the governing bodies, there is very little we can do.The DC coach pointed to a wider model involving Australian players. “Because if Cricket Australia doesn’t release him, which was also the case with Hazlewood, also the case with Pat Cummins, there’s very little the coach or any franchise can do about it. Hopefully we’ll have a solution for that in the future.”Starc is turning the game around – and earning praiseStarc showed exactly why DC were desperate to have him around throughout the campaign. The left-arm speedster claimed four wickets, including a crucial three-wicket haul to derail RR after they reached a dominant 160/2 in 14 overs.Badani reserved particular praise for the Australian’s professionalism, calling him one of the best examples for younger players.“He’s maybe one of the best role models anyone can have in sports. His work ethic, his preparation before a game, with his own plans and his training is above average,” Badani said. “I don’t even see that with a lot of younger guys. That’s why he lasted so long.”The coach also highlighted Starc’s influence off the field on Delhi’s younger bowlers.“He’s always talking to them and trying to impart knowledge — how you can reverse swing, how I hold lengths, what to do when the batter is tough. Starcy brings immense conversation,” he said.

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Badani said Starc was specifically signed because of his ability to make an impact in all phases of the innings.“He was someone who liked pressure, someone who could hit the long ball and skip all three phases at the same time. He could also play the power game if needed. And if you go back and see the recent Ashes series, he won them the Ashes with one hand,” Badani added.