Mitchell Starc’s IPL 2026 return with Delhi Capitals drew immediate praise after he made his comeback following shoulder and elbow concerns. Ian Bishop called the impact “firepower,” noting that the left-arm quick arrived more than a month into the season and still delivered a match-defining spell against Rajasthan Royals.
Key takeaways
- Ian Bishop said Starc brought “firepower” in his first IPL 2026 outing after a long layoff caused by shoulder and elbow issues.
- Starc’s spell against Rajasthan Royals read 3 wickets for 40 in his four overs, including dismissals of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag and Ravindra Jadeja.
- Bishop highlighted that the last over cost runs, suggesting the final figures could have been even stronger.
- Kyle Jamieson removed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi early using a yorker, with Sooryavanshi dismissed for 4 in the second over.
- Jamieson received a demerit point and a warning for an “aggressive” celebration after the wicket.
Starc’s comeback spell sparks praise
Starc was sidelined due to shoulder and elbow problems before joining Delhi Capitals more than a month after the tournament began. In his opening impact, he produced a four-over burst versus Rajasthan Royals, claiming 3 for 40 and striking at key moments. His wickets included Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag and Ravindra Jadeja.
Bishop shared his thoughts on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show, admitting he had wondered how Starc would handle his return form after a lengthy break. Bishop said Starc nevertheless arrived with clear “firepower,” and added that while the outing was satisfying, the final over went for a few extra runs—meaning the numbers might have looked better without that late damage.
The match saw an early statement from Rajasthan’s openers. Jaiswal hit Starc for a maximum off the first ball of the contest, but the fast bowler responded quickly. Two balls later, Starc struck again, dismissing Jaiswal with a high full toss. Bishop also pointed to Starc’s sharper pace early, as he conceded 16 runs across his first two overs before tightening his grip.
Starc’s influence grew as the innings moved deeper. He returned in the death overs to bowl the 17th over, where he dismissed Ravindra Jadeja first, then followed up two deliveries later by removing Riyan Parag as Parag’s momentum threatened to carry. Starc eventually conceded 14 in his last over, but the overall spell still proved successful for Delhi.
Fielding moments and squad balance
From Delhi’s perspective, Bishop felt the comeback was exactly what the team needed. He noted that pairing Lungi Ngidi with Starc in future fixtures could create a strong overseas combination, with two overseas batters and two overseas seam bowlers working in tandem. Bishop said he was happy to see Starc arrive with the qualities he had shown.
Rayudu, meanwhile, focused not only on Starc’s bowling but also on his readiness in the field. He pointed to a stop at backward point at the start of the 16th over, when Starc dived to prevent additional runs. Rayudu said that kind of moment was more than a routine contribution—it suggested Starc’s body felt good and that he was mentally prepared for the challenge ahead.
Rayudu also recalled Starc’s communication in the huddle. He described Starc as animated while speaking, adding that it is encouraging for a big-name player to be fully engaged. In Rayudu’s view, Starc appeared eager to make an impact and “prove a point.”
Jamieson dismisses Sooryavanshi early; Starc’s return discussed
Kyle Jamieson delivered an early breakthrough that many bowlers struggled to achieve in IPL 2026, getting Vaibhav Sooryavanshi out quickly. There was plenty of anticipation around how Sooryavanshi would match up against Starc, especially after Sooryavanshi had already struck Jasprit Bumrah and Pat Cummins for consecutive sixes. However, Jamieson ensured Sooryavanshi did not last long against the new-ball phase, trapping him lbw? actually, he played on a Jamieson yorker for 4 in the second over.
Jamieson said the wicket came from a planned approach. He joked that he had never been “so fearful” of a 15-year-old in his life, but explained that the team had done preparation ahead of the game and it worked out well. He added that for most sides looking at Rajasthan’s team, the top two batters are often the ones capable of giving them early momentum, and that targeting them aggressively in the powerplay matters.
Jamieson also linked his wicket to Starc’s earlier success. He said Starc had taken a wicket using an old-style high full toss, while Jamieson got his breakthrough with the yorker, and that having both dismissals early helped extend the pressure from the powerplay.
After the dismissal, Jamieson received a demerit point and a warning for breaching the IPL code of conduct, with the reason listed as an “aggressive” celebration following the wicket.
Jamieson then underlined how valuable Starc’s presence is for the side. He described Starc as world-class and said that having such a bowler in the squad is a major advantage. Jamieson added that Starc had come at the right time as the team looked to improve its position on the points table, and he highlighted the benefit of sharing the new ball and the “surreal” feeling of playing alongside him.
Starc, speaking after the match, said he was pleased to build some match rhythm and now wants to focus on “ticking the boxes” as he adjusts to the speed of T20 cricket. He said it was good to get cobwebs out and return to the game’s pace, and that the important step was getting running into his legs. He also hinted that taking out the first ball could have made his evening even happier.
Starc explained that he had been working on his elbow for weeks and had only returned to bowling to a batter after a period without white-ball cricket. He said that until two nights earlier, he had not faced batting for around three months, but that he felt prepared to do most of what he wanted once the opportunity came. He described the match as a useful reminder of several key aspects—especially the pace of the game—and suggested that after a longer run-out on the legs for 20 overs, he will be better set for the remainder of the tournament.
