Delhi Capitals are still waiting for Mitchell Starc to arrive at their camp, with the Australia fast bowler’s shoulder and elbow issues keeping him out for what is expected to be at least the next three matches. The franchise believes there is a realistic chance he may not be available until April 20, meaning his early-season absence will shape DC’s bowling plans for a key stretch of the IPL.
Injury timeline and expected return
- Mitchell Starc, aged 36, is currently managing a shoulder-and-elbow problem while back home.
- It is understood he is unlikely to join the Delhi Capitals squad before April 20.
- Because of this, Delhi are set to play three matches without him: against Gujarat Titans on April 8, CSK on April 11, and RCB on April 18.
While the DC management remains optimistic about having Starc available at some point during the campaign, the exact recovery timeline is still uncertain. For now, the team’s bowling unit—led by Axar Patel—has performed strongly in his absence, delivering results in consecutive fixtures.
How Delhi have coped without Starc
Axar’s side has won both of its games against Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians, with the bowling group putting in convincing performances across phases. Mukesh Kumar has impressed during the powerplay, bringing sharp penetration with the new ball. Lungi Ngidi and T Natarajan have also been reliable in tougher overs, while the spin department has kept pressure on set batters in the middle overs.
Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam have controlled the contest after the batters settled, helping DC maintain their momentum. With Starc’s eventual arrival, the Capitals believe they will add another layer of pace and strike threat to an already dangerous bowling attack, and the left-arm quick remains in constant contact with the management.
Starc’s statement on his rehab and misinformation
Starc had earlier taken to social media to clarify the situation regarding his injury and to push back on what he described as incorrect reporting and “misinformed opinions” circulating in and around Indian media circles. In his message, he said he is currently undergoing rehabilitation and managing shoulder and elbow trouble, adding that the seriousness of the issue was not fully known during the Australian summer.
He also claimed that certain individuals with large platforms made claims about his possible involvement in the IPL, presenting those views as facts and insisting they could judge his condition better than he could. Starc reiterated that he is committed to joining Delhi “as soon as possible,” while acknowledging that the injury setback disrupts the team’s early plans.
“With that said, I do acknowledge this injury setback and that the timing is disruptive to the Delhi team, and I apologise for that and to the fans for not being available for the early part of this season. I remain committed to joining DC, am in continual communication with the team, and will continue to do what I can to be available for DC as soon as possible,” he added.
Next match: DC vs Gujarat Titans
Delhi Capitals next face Gujarat Titans at home on April 8. The team will aim to keep its unbeaten run going and build on the confidence generated by their recent bowling and match control. Alongside the collective effort, DC will also look for key contributions from their more seasoned batters around Sameer Rizvi, who has handled high-pressure chases impressively in two outings.
Delhi are one of four teams remaining unbeaten in the tournament. A victory over GT would move them to the top spot in the IPL 2026 points standings.
