Mitchell Starc is back. Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel confirmed at the toss ahead of tonight’s match against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur that the Australian left-arm quick is in the XI — ending one of the more drawn-out, controversial absences in recent IPL history and handing Delhi what could be a significant weapon in their playoff push.
“Starc is playing and unfortunately Chameera isn’t playing,” Axar said. The combination of Starc’s return alongside the absence of Sahil Parikh through injury — replaced by Pathum Nissanka — means Delhi have shuffled their overseas configuration significantly, with David Miller the notable casualty forced out to accommodate four overseas players in the XI.
How the absence began — and why it got ugly
Starc’s delayed arrival for IPL 2026 became one of the early talking points of the season. With Delhi already dealing with availability concerns around overseas players, the Australian pacer’s absence led to criticism and speculation around his commitment.
The reality was more straightforward — and more painful. Starc had sustained a shoulder and elbow injury during a Big Bash League match for the Sydney Sixers against the Perth Scorchers, where he fell on his left shoulder and elbow while attempting a catch. Although he initially rested in February, persistent soreness on return to bowling delayed his IPL participation.
Cricket Australia denied him the No Objection Certificate in order to manage his workload ahead of a busy international schedule, giving clear instructions that he would not be cleared to join Delhi before proving full fitness.
Starc fires back at his critics
What turned the absence from a routine injury update into a full-blown controversy was the volume of commentary questioning his commitment — and Starc’s unusually direct response to it. Posting on his Instagram story, Starc said: “Despite the opinions and views of certain individuals with their platforms in and through the Indian media, I’m currently rehabbing and managing an injury in my shoulder and elbow of which I didn’t know the extent of during the Australian summer.” He added: “These individuals have made some strong statements around involvement in the IPL and provided heavily misinformed opinions of players, preached them as facts, and claim to know my body better than me.”
He also acknowledged the impact on the franchise and apologised to Delhi’s fans: “I do acknowledge this injury setback and timing is disruptive to the Delhi team and I apologise for that and to the fans for not being available for the early part of this season.”
The context of what he had just come through
The criticism looked even less fair when placed against Starc’s workload before the injury. He had just completed a physically demanding Ashes series where he bowled over 153 overs across all five Tests, claimed 31 wickets and won the Player of the Series award — before immediately turning out for the Sydney Sixers in the BBL. The injury came at the end of one of the most demanding stretches any fast bowler had put himself through in recent seasons.
What Starc brings back to Delhi
In his debut IPL season with Delhi Capitals, Starc was a key figure for the franchise, returning 14 wickets from 11 outings. He has an overall IPL record of 65 wickets from 52 matches at an economy of 8.61. For a Delhi side that has been grinding without its most potent pace option, having Starc back — left-arm angle, ability to swing the new ball and deliver yorkers at the death — is a material upgrade.
Axar’s message at the toss framed the mood around the team clearly: “It’s important to return to basics. You need to stay in the present to turn things around, focus on the positives. Attitude and body language are very important.” A fit Starc playing at Sawai Mansingh Stadium tonight gives Delhi exactly the kind of positive momentum they need as the tournament enters its business end.