Having secured the required approvals from Cricket Australia, fast bowler Mitchell Starc is scheduled to arrive with the Delhi Capitals setup on Friday morning. The 36-year-old, who has been kept out by elbow and shoulder injuries, is expected to be available for DC’s next outing on May 1 against the Rajasthan Royals.
With Starc’s return timeline moving slowly, the Delhi think-tank had maintained steady communication with the left-arm pacer and anticipated that he would not be part of the playing group until at least April 20. Under Axar Patel’s leadership, the Capitals have managed three wins and suffered three defeats from their first six league matches so far.
Starc’s inclusion is a major lift, but DC’s remaining schedule also demands smart execution—particularly in the two games that come before his return, against Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The franchise will have to protect its qualification chances without the experienced Australian during that stretch.
It is also understood that the combination may be adjusted in the upcoming matches, given the overseas-slot juggling required once Starc returns. Pathum Nissanka, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, and Lungi Ngidi have been featuring in the side, but the management will have to make the right call on who gets the spot when Starc is ready for the XI.
One area of interest is the role of Sahil Parakh, with questions around how long the 18-year-old left-hander will spend on the bench. Parakh has turned heads during the pre-season camp and in the full-strength intra-squad games that followed, and he could soon force his way into the top-order.
Even senior members of the Capitals squad have been impressed by Parakh’s fearless approach with the bat. In match-simulation sessions, his strokeplay has been described as confident enough to put pressure on bowlers such as Mukesh Kumar and T Natarajan, who were tasked with testing him under realistic conditions.
Starc is set to join the squad on Friday morning, but he is not expected to be rushed straight into high-intensity competitive action. The plan is for him to build his workload over the coming week before the Capitals travel to take on Rajasthan Royals on May 1. Last season, he played 11 matches for the franchise and picked up 14 wickets, and if he stays on course for the May 1 fixture, he would be looking at at least six appearances for DC—ideally delivering an immediate impact as the tournament enters its business end.
