Delhi Capitals pace spearhead Mitchell Starc received loud praise from head coach Hemang Badani after delivering a match-turning spell in a five-wicket triumph over the Rajasthan Royals in the 2026 Indian Premier League on Sunday night. Starc’s impact was especially clear after a shaky start, as he wrestled control back and made the decisive breakthroughs at a crucial stage of the contest at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Starc’s turnaround and the decisive overs
- Starc began with two difficult early overs, failing to make an immediate impression against the Royals’ batters.
- He then regrouped and returned to trouble the RR top and middle order, striking with wickets that quickly changed the rhythm of the innings.
- In his remaining two overs, Starc removed Riyan Parag, Donovan Ferreira, Ravi Singh and Dasun Shanaka.
- His surge included three wickets in the 15th over, a burst that put the Royals under heavy pressure and disrupted their path to a competitive total.
- With Starc providing the sharpest late-innings impact, Rajasthan finished a few runs short of what they would have targeted, setting up Delhi for a controlled victory.
- Delhi Capitals went on to win comfortably, and Starc was deservedly named Man of the Match.
Following the win, Badani underlined what makes Starc such a consistent performer for a franchise. The coach said the 36-year-old’s preparation and approach to training stand out, adding that he does not see the same level of discipline among many younger players. Badani also pointed to Starc’s ability to influence the outcome even when conditions demand instant adaptation, referencing his performances around the recent Ashes.
Badani explained that Starc missed the first eight matches for Delhi while recovering from injuries sustained during the demanding Ashes and Big Bash League commitments earlier this year with the Sydney Sixers. He then expanded on Starc’s mindset and work ethic in detail, saying:
“His work ethic, his preparation before the game with his own plans and his training are above par. I don’t even see that with a lot of the younger boys—that’s the reason why he has sustained for so long. If you go back and see the recent Ashes series, he single-handedly won them the Ashes—there was no Pat Cummins, there was no Josh Hazlewood. That pretty much tells you what that man can do.”
Experience, guidance for youngsters, and Starc’s IPL record
Badani also stressed that Starc’s value is not limited to wickets. He noted that the left-arm fast bowler actively shares know-how with Delhi’s younger squad members, helping them understand key aspects of T20 bowling and match situations. Badani highlighted the conversations Starc is known to have inside the group, including discussions about technique, length control, and how to respond when a specific batter is settling into their attacking phase.
“Speaking of the kind of work that he puts in with the younger lads: he’s always talking to them, he’s always trying to pass on the knowledge—how can you do reverse swing, how do I hold lengths, what do I do when a certain batter is going hard; do I look to pick wickets or do I look to try and be submissive and be defensive. There’s immense conversation that Starc brings to the table,” Badani added.
So far in the 2026 IPL, Starc has taken 9 wickets. However, his spell has also included moments of expense, with an economy rate of 10.42. While Delhi Capitals can still qualify for the playoffs mathematically, the reality is that their chances are slim, and they would need several results to fall their way.
