Mitchell Starc is set to return to IPL 2026 action after being officially cleared by Cricket Australia, with the Delhi Capitals (DC) pacer expected to link up with the squad later this week. The board issued an update on the left-arm quick, who has been sidelined since late January due to shoulder and elbow issues caused by heavy workload in the Australian summer and compounded by a fall suffered in the BBL.
The 36-year-old has completed his rehabilitation programme in Sydney and is targeting DC's clash against Rajasthan Royals on May 1 in Jaipur for his season debut.
Delhi Capitals have made a mixed start to their campaign, sitting just outside the playoff spots in fifth place with three wins and three defeats from six matches.
While the results have kept them in contention, their bowling unit has lacked consistency, particularly in the powerplay. Lungi Ngidi has led the attack in Starc's absence, taking seven wickets in six games, but DC have struggled to secure early breakthroughs, a gap exposed in high-scoring games, including their most recent 47-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad who posted 242/2.
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Mukesh Kumar and T. Natarajan have delivered in phases, with the latter effective at the death, but the attack has lacked a defining presence in the powerplay. Starc's ability to find swing early in the game and his expert execution at the death will offer DC a major boost.
Starc has taken 65 wickets in 52 IPL matches at an average of 23.12. Last season, he claimed 14 wickets for DC from 11 matches, including a maiden five-wicket haul (5/35) against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Before the injury layoff, Starc was in elite form, named Player of the Series in the 2025–26 Ashes after claiming 31 wickets at an average of 19.93. He carried that rhythm into the Big Bash League, picking up 10 wickets in five matches for Sydney Sixers before being sidelined.
Starc's return adds both quality and experience to the Delhi Capitals attack. His presence is expected to ease the burden on the supporting seamers while giving them a wicket-taking option in the powerplay.
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