Delhi Capitals kept their IPL 2026 playoff hopes ticking with a five-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals on Sunday, yet the win did not fully drown out one recurring worry for the franchise: whether their overseas stars are available when they are needed. DC moved to 12 points, matching Chennai Super Kings and RR, but still slipped to seventh place because of net run rate. With just one league match remaining—against Kolkata Knight Riders—Delhi’s standing could still swing even before they step onto the field.
Badani on a season shaped by player availability
After the result in Delhi, head coach Hemang Badani addressed a theme that has repeatedly disrupted DC’s rhythm throughout the campaign: the intermittent presence of pivotal players, with Mitchell Starc standing out as the most visible example.
- Badani said that, ideally, he wants his squad settled from the start of the season and ready to play consistently.
- He described Starc as one of the key investments in DC’s squad and stressed that the team knows the left-arm pacer’s ability to change matches.
- He then acknowledged the limits of a franchise’s control when decisions are made by national boards and governing bodies.
- Badani referenced a broader pattern affecting Australian players, noting that if Cricket Australia does not release a player—an issue that also arose with Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins—coaches and franchises have little room to influence outcomes.
- He added a hope that a solution will emerge in the future to reduce uncertainty around availability.
Starc’s impact with the ball
On the field, Starc delivered the kind of performance DC wanted to build around. The left-arm quick finished with four wickets, including a crucial spell in which he removed three batters—an intervention that shifted the momentum away from Rajasthan after they had surged to 160/2 in 14 overs.
Badani used the moment to stress how the match-changing quality of Starc can matter not only in late overs, but across phases of an innings.
Why Badani believes Starc sets the standard
The DC coach also lavished praise on Starc’s mindset and preparation, describing the Australian as an exceptional role model for younger players.
- Badani said Starc’s work ethic and pre-match planning are “above par,” highlighting the consistency of his approach.
- He argued that such professionalism has helped Starc remain effective for a long period.
- He pointed to the pacer’s off-field communication with Delhi’s emerging bowlers, describing regular conversations about techniques and match situations.
- Badani specifically mentioned guidance on reverse swing, how to manage bowling lengths, and what to do when batters are attacking.
- He stressed that the knowledge transfer is a major part of why Starc’s value extends beyond wickets.
- He added that Starc was signed for his ability to contribute at multiple stages—hitting long balls, bowling through different phases, and even stepping in during the powerplay if needed.
Reference to Starc’s Ashes influence
Badani also drew a comparison to Starc’s impact in the recent Ashes, saying the pacer was instrumental in turning the series in England’s favour, describing it as a near “single-handed” contribution.
With DC now tied on points but still outside the top six due to net run rate, the final league game against Kolkata Knight Riders becomes critical. For Delhi, the stakes are clear: they need performances that can’t be held back by squad availability, and on Sunday, Starc offered a reminder of what DC gain when he is fully integrated into their plans.
