Mitchell Starc Joins Delhi Capitals Ahead of Crucial Matches

Mitchell Starc's Arrival at Delhi Capitals

Axar Patel, the captain of Delhi Capitals (DC), announced that Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has officially joined the team and will be eligible for selection starting May 1, contingent on his workload management. Following DC's defeat to the reigning champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), on Monday night, Axar confirmed that Starc has obtained the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) and is anticipated to participate in upcoming matches. 'Yes, Mitchell Starc has joined. He has received the NOC from the 1st, so he can play after that. His workload is being monitored. Whenever he is available, we will look to play him,' stated the DC captain during the post-match press briefing.

Starc's Impact on Delhi's Bowling Lineup

Starc's return is poised to enhance Delhi's bowling strength as the team enters a pivotal stage of the tournament. Renowned for his speed and performance under pressure, the left-arm bowler is expected to add valuable experience and intensity to the Capitals' squad.

Starc's Recent Performance and Injury

The 36-year-old has been sidelined since late January due to a demanding schedule during the Ashes series, where he was awarded Player of the Series for taking 31 wickets at an impressive average of 19.93. Starc bowled over 150 overs in five Tests and later played five matches for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League (BBL). His last game was against the Perth Scorchers, where he injured his left shoulder and elbow while attempting a catch. Although he took a break in February, persistent soreness upon resuming bowling delayed his entry into the IPL.

DC's Heavy Defeat to RCB

In another development, Delhi faced a significant defeat against RCB at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. RCB chose to bowl first, and outstanding performances from Josh Hazlewood (4 wickets for 12 runs) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3 wickets for 5 runs) restricted DC to a mere 75 runs in 16.3 overs, with Abishek Porel (30 runs) and David Miller (19 runs) being the only players to show some resistance.

RCB's batting lineup responded aggressively, with Jacob Bethell scoring 20 runs off 10 balls, Devdutt Padikkal contributing 34 runs off just 13 balls, and Virat Kohli finishing with 25 runs off 13 balls, leading RCB to chase down the target in just 6.3 overs.

This victory marks RCB's sixth win in eight matches, bringing their total points to 12 and placing them second in the standings. Meanwhile, this fifth loss for DC, who have secured three wins, leaves them in seventh place on the points table.