Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel has confirmed that Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has joined the squad and will be available for selection starting May 1, with his workload being monitored closely. Patel made the remarks after DC’s defeat to defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Monday night, adding that Starc has already received the required No Objection Certificate (NOC) and will be considered for matches once the team’s management clears his workload.
“Yes, Mitchell Starc has joined. He has got the NOC from the 1st, so he can play after that. His workload is being monitored. Whenever he is available, we will look to play him,” Axar Patel said during the post-match press conference.
Starc’s return is expected to add significant depth to Delhi’s bowling resources as the side moves into a critical stretch of the tournament. Known for his pace and his ability to stay effective when the pressure rises, the left-arm quick could bring both experience and wicket-taking potential back to the Capitals’ XI.
Starc’s IPL timeline and recent workload
- Starc, now 36, has been unavailable since late January due to the heavy workload he carried during the Ashes.
- In the Ashes, he was named Player of the Series after taking 31 wickets at an average of 19.93.
- Across five Tests, Starc bowled more than 150 overs before moving into action for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League.
- His final appearance came against the Perth Scorchers, where he injured his left shoulder and elbow while attempting a catch.
- Although he took a break in February, soreness that lingered when he resumed bowling delayed his arrival into the IPL setup.
DC vs RCB: match summary
- Delhi Capitals lost in a one-sided contest against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
- RCB chose to field first, and early pressure paid off as Josh Hazlewood struck for 4/12 and Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned figures of 3/5.
- DC were reduced to 75 in 16.3 overs, with Abishek Porel making 30 and David Miller contributing 19.
- RCB’s chase was finished briskly, with Jacob Bethell scoring 20 off 10 balls (including a four and two sixes), Devdutt Padikkal posting 34 not out off 13 balls (three fours and three sixes), and Virat Kohli adding 25 not out off 13 balls (a four and two sixes).
- RCB sealed the win in 6.3 overs, completing the chase without needing to stretch the innings.
The result keeps RCB in strong form, with the win taking them to six victories in eight matches and leaving them on 12 points. They sit second in the points standings. For Delhi, it was a fifth loss in the tournament, despite three wins so far, and the defeat places them seventh in the table.
