Cricket News, IPL 2026, Mitchell Starc, Cricket Updates
Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has confirmed he is recovering from shoulder and elbow injuries and is aiming to return to action for Delhi Capitals (DC) as soon as possible during IPL 2026.
Starc addressed his absence in a social media statement on Saturday, pushing back against what he described as “misinformed opinions” regarding his fitness and participation in the tournament. He revealed that the extent of the injuries became clear only after the Australian summer and that he is currently undergoing rehabilitation.
The left-arm pacer acknowledged the timing of the setback, apologising to the franchise and its supporters for missing the early part of the season. He reiterated his commitment to DC, stating that he remains in regular communication with the team and is working towards regaining full fitness at the earliest.
Delhi Capitals, who finished fifth last season, begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants on April 1. In Starc’s absence, the franchise will rely on overseas pace options including Kyle Jamieson, Lungi Ngidi, and Dushmantha Chameera to lead their bowling attack.
Starc, who was retained by DC for INR 11.75 crore ahead of the 2026 auction, played a key role last season, picking up 14 wickets in 11 matches. He was also instrumental for Australia in the 2025–26 Ashes, where he claimed Player-of-the-Series honours in a 4-1 victory.
His last competitive appearance came in January for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League. Since then, he has been focused on recovery, with Cricket Australia closely monitoring the workload of its fast bowlers ahead of a demanding international schedule.
Australia are set for a packed calendar between August 2026 and July 2027, including 21 Test matches and a challenging four-Test series against New Zealand scheduled within a four-week window. Fellow pacers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are also set to miss the initial stages of IPL 2026, although both have joined their respective squads.
As Delhi Capitals look to navigate the early phase without one of their premier bowlers, Starc’s timely recovery could prove crucial to their campaign.
