Mitchell Starc is set to return to action for Delhi Capitals, a timely boost for the franchise as it battles to keep its IPL campaign alive. The season has been defined by a lack of control in the finishing phases, leaving Delhi needing a strong run from here. With that in mind, the Capitals will effectively have to win all of their remaining matches to secure a place in the playoffs.
Starc’s road back
- Mitchell Starc is available to play for Delhi Capitals.
- He missed IPL action due to shoulder and elbow injuries.
- He played all five Tests in the Ashes in 2025–2026 and helped Australia win 4–1.
- He also featured in the Big Bash League for the Sydney Sixers.
- After those matches, he has not been seen in action for more than three months.
Starc’s absence came with shoulder and elbow issues, sidelining him from competitive cricket. During the Ashes stretch in 2025–2026, he turned out in every one of Australia’s five Tests and delivered impactful spells that helped the team cruise to a 4–1 triumph. He later took part in the Big Bash League with the Sydney Sixers, but the workload eventually caught up with him.
More than three months have passed since he last appeared in a match, making his return a major talking point for Delhi. While he is available for the fixture, the bigger question is whether the Capitals introduce him immediately or manage his workload carefully.
DC face Rajasthan at Jaipur
Delhi Capitals take on Rajasthan Royals later today at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, and Starc’s availability adds a fresh variable to the team selection. The franchise will also weigh up how quickly they want to deploy him, especially after a run of results that has not matched their ambitions.
So far in the tournament, Delhi’s overseas core has included Tristan Stubbs, Pathum Nissanka, David Miller and Lungi Ngidi. After Ngidi picked up an injury, New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson came into the side for the last match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which Delhi lost heavily after being bowled out for a low total of 75.
That context makes the “Starc or Ngidi” decision even more significant. Ngidi is available for today’s game as well, which means Delhi can only accommodate both if they make a tough call with the overseas spots. If the Capitals decide to keep Starc and Ngidi in the XI together, one of Stubbs, Miller or Nissanka would have to be left out.
Given Delhi’s struggles with the bat, they may be reluctant to drop anyone who can contribute with the bat, which could push the selection toward only one of the two pacers. In that scenario, Starc may well be the player who gets the nod.
Selection dilemma and what Delhi need
Ngidi has impressed in the six matches where he has bowled, but Starc’s reputation is in a different class altogether. The left-arm fast bowler is widely regarded as one of the best in the world at what he does, and his name carries plenty of weight in any dressing room.
Right now, Delhi Capitals need a spark, and Starc is exactly the type of bowler who can swing momentum in T20 cricket. With five defeats and three wins from eight games, the team sits in seventh place on the points table, and the margin for error is shrinking fast.
For Delhi’s campaign to stay afloat, it will take more than one good performance—but Starc’s return could provide the lift they desperately need. On his day, very few players can consistently trouble batters at the level Starc is capable of, and the Capitals will be hoping his comeback arrives at the right time.
