Mitchell Starc is set to return for Delhi Capitals from May 1 in IPL 2026 after being cleared by Cricket Australia following a month-long injury layoff.
Delhi Capitals' Mitchell Starc (Photo: IANS/Biplab Banerjee)
After nearly a month out with injury, Mitchell Starc is set for an IPL 2026 return, having been cleared by Cricket Australia.
The left-arm pacer is expected to link up with Delhi Capitals shortly and gradually build up his bowling workload after recovering from elbow and shoulder issues sustained during the Australian summer.
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Starc is likely to make his first appearance of the season in Delhi’s May 1 clash against Rajasthan Royals, having missed the opening phase of the tournament.
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The injury setback followed an intense stretch of cricket, where Starc featured in all five Tests during Australia’s 4-1 Ashes triumph, earning Player of the Series honours, before turning out for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League.
Delhi Capitals, currently placed fifth on the points table with a 3-3 record, will hope Starc’s return bolsters a bowling attack led so far by Lungi Ngidi, who has picked up seven wickets in six matches.
Starc had earlier addressed criticism surrounding his delayed arrival in a strongly worded social media post, clarifying the extent of his injury and reaffirming his commitment to the franchise.
Also Read: Mitchell Starc breaks silence on IPL 2026 delay, cites injury and hits back at critics
“Despite the opinions and views of certain individuals with their platforms in and through the Indian media, I’m currently rehabbing and managing an injury in my shoulder and elbow of which I didn’t know the extent of during the Australian summer. These individuals have made some strong statements around involvement in the IPL and provided heavily misinformed opinions of players, preached them as facts, and claim to know my body better than me.
With that said I do acknowledge this injury setback and 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 join DC, are in continual communication updating the team, and will continue to do what I can to be available for DC asap,” Starc had written.
Meanwhile, Pat Cummins is also set to return this weekend, having been cleared after recovering from a back stress issue. The Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper is expected to resume captaincy in Hyderabad’s upcoming fixture.
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