A major piece of news has been revealed regarding Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc ahead of Delhi Capitals’ (DC) next IPL 2026 fixture, which is on Friday evening, against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur.
Riyan Parag’s RR will be aiming to build on the momentum they attained with a remarkable victory over table-toppers Punjab Kings.
Meanwhile, the Axar Patel-led DC have slipped in the points table. After registering three wins in their first five outings, Delhi have suffered three defeats in a row, the last two of them in quite a shocking fashion.
Against PBKS, DC failed to defend 264 and then were bowled out for only 75 by RCB. DC’s net run rate is the second-worst among all 10 teams.
To get out of this poor rut, Delhi need a boost, and that fillip is going to be in the form of Starc!
DC vs RR: When Will Mitchell Starc Play In IPL 2026?
Starc is set to make his first appearance for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026 on Friday, May 1, against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur. He will replace either Kyle Jamieson or Dushmantha Chameera in the lineup.
Starc has missed all of DC’s 8 matches so far as he has been recovering from shoulder and elbow issues that had earlier kept him out of the T20 World Cup.
The 36-year-old was the Man of the Series in the Ashes 2025/26, where he bagged 31 wickets while bowling over 150 overs across five Tests. Starc led Australia’s bowling attack in the Ashes and shouldered additional responsibility in the absence of Hazlewood and Cummins.
He then turned up in the BBL for the Sydney Sixers for five matches. It was in the BBL where he sustained a shoulder and elbow injury while attempting a catch.
Around the beginning of the IPL 2026, there was confusion regarding his status, with Cricket Australia managing the workload of their three premier fast bowlers, keeping in mind the extensive number of Test matches in the next year and a half.
In a social media post, Starc then slammed those providing “heavily misinformed opinions” in the Indian media, confirming that he is injured and recovering.
Starc has now been declared fit, and he is raring to go against RR.
On Thursday, the Delhi Capitals social media handle posted a video, teasing Starc’s return to action for Friday’s game.
Meanwhile, Delhi will continue to be without Lungi Ngidi. The South African had suffered a head injury against PBKS and was taken to a hospital.
He has rejoined the DC squad and even did light training. But he will be given rest due to concussion protocols.
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