Delhi Capitals Face Setback as Mitchell Starc Misses IPL 2026 Start

As the IPL 2026 season approaches, the Delhi Capitals face a significant challenge with the news that star bowler Mitchell Starc will miss the initial matches. This decision comes as Cricket Australia prioritizes the long-term fitness of its players ahead of a busy international schedule. With the team aiming for a playoff spot under Axar Patel's captaincy, the absence of Starc raises questions about potential replacements. Lungi Ngidi and Kyle Jamieson are in the squad, but Ngidi's recent performance in the T20 World Cup may give him the edge. Discover more about the implications for the Capitals as they prepare for their opening match against the Lucknow Super Giants.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 20, 2026, 10:55 IST

IPL 2026 Kicks Off Soon

The IPL 2026 is set to commence on March 28 (Saturday), and the Delhi Capitals (DC) are among the teams to watch. After finishing 5th last season, they narrowly missed out on playoff qualification. This year, under the leadership of Axar Patel, they aim to improve their performance and secure a playoff spot. However, they have received disappointing news ahead of their opening match against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 1 (Wednesday), as star bowler Mitchell Starc will be unavailable for a significant portion of the season.

Mitchell Starc's Absence

As reported by cricket.com.au, Mitchell Starc will miss the initial matches for DC in IPL 2026. He joins fellow Australians Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, who will also be absent for their respective teams' early games in the tournament.

Reasons Behind Starc's Withdrawal

Cricket Australia is adopting a cautious strategy with their multi-format bowlers, including Starc, Hazlewood, and Cummins, due to an upcoming busy schedule featuring numerous Test and ODI matches. The Australian Test team is slated to play 21 matches over the next year, including tours to South Africa, India, and England, followed by the ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa. To ensure their fast bowlers remain fit for this demanding season, Australia plans to rest them, with their participation in IPL 2026 contingent on return-to-play protocols established by Cricket Australia in the coming weeks.

Potential Replacements for Starc

In Starc's absence, the Delhi Capitals have two other overseas fast bowlers in their lineup: Lungi Ngidi and Kyle Jamieson. While Jamieson has experience in T20 internationals for New Zealand, Ngidi, who was acquired for Rs 2 crore, may be the more suitable choice. He demonstrated his capabilities on Indian pitches during the T20 World Cup 2026, where he emerged as South Africa's leading wicket-taker with 12 wickets in 7 matches.