New Delhi, 23 April (H.S.):
Delhi Capitals have received a major boost ahead of the business end of the 2026 Indian Premier League as Australian speedster Mitchell Starc has been cleared by Cricket Australia to join the squad and could feature in their match against Rajasthan Royals on May 1. The 36‑year‑old left‑arm pacer, sidelined since January with elbow and shoulder trouble, is now targeting a return to competitive cricket just as the tournament edges into its final stages.
Starc, who earned the Player of the Series award during the Ashes with 31 wickets in five Tests, later represented Sydney Sixers in five Big Bash League matches before the injury forced him to the sidelines.
Reports indicate he will arrive in India on Friday, April 24, and gradually ramp up his workload and match‑intensity before the clash at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Provided there are no setbacks, Starc is expected to play his first IPL 2026 game for Delhi Capitals in that fixture.
The star opener’s absence from the league’s early phase had sparked debate over the scheduling burden on overseas pace‑bowlers and the depth of commitment to India’s premier T20 league.
In a detailed social‑media post, Starc pushed back at “misinformed” commentary, explaining that he had only fully understood the severity of his shoulder and elbow issues in retrospect and was under professional rehabilitation. He also criticised sections of media who claimed to know his body better than his own medical team.
Across IPL 2025, Starc was a key weapon for Delhi, picking up 14 wickets in 11 matches at an economy of 10.17, including his first five‑wicket haul in the competition. His mix of pace, bounce and controlled aggression has repeatedly tilted matches for the franchise, and his return is expected to significantly strengthen a bowling unit currently led by Axar Patel’s spin‑centric attack.
In the 2026 season, Delhi Capitals sit fifth in the points table with three wins and three losses from six matches, showing promise but lacking the cutting edge in high‑pressure chases and run‑fences. Starc’s availability from May 1 onward could not only reinforce the death‑overs arsenal but also shape selection‑panel decisions across the remaining fixtures, offering Delhi a genuine X‑factor in the chase for a playoff place.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
