Delhi Capitals Coach Discusses Impact of Mitchell Starc's Absence in IPL 2026
Munaf Patel on Starc's Role in DC's Success
New Delhi [India] - April 7: Munaf Patel, the bowling coach for Delhi Capitals (DC), stated that the team has not felt the absence of Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc during the ongoing IPL 2026 season, as they have secured victories in both of their matches so far.
During a press conference before DC's upcoming match against the Gujarat Titans, Munaf highlighted that the team has performed well without Starc. However, he acknowledged the importance of Starc's skills, including his speed, swing, and experience, and mentioned that they are keeping a close watch on his recovery.
“We’ve managed to win two matches, so we haven’t missed him yet. But if our performance dips, people will start questioning. Starc is among the top bowlers globally, comparable only to someone like Jasprit Bumrah in the IPL. His pace, swing, and experience are invaluable. We are monitoring his fitness closely as he is crucial for our squad,” Munaf explained.
Starc has not yet joined the Delhi Capitals, and on March 28, he shared on Instagram that he is in recovery from shoulder and elbow injuries, which he fully recognized after the Australian summer. He expressed regret for missing the start of the season but assured fans of his commitment to rejoin the team once he is fit.
Discussing the management of injuries among fast bowlers, Munaf Patel emphasized that bowlers need regular match play to maintain their rhythm. He noted that a lack of consistent play can lead to a loss of rhythm, which increases the likelihood of injuries.
“Fast bowlers thrive on rhythm. The more matches you play, the better your rhythm becomes. Without consistent play, that rhythm diminishes, leading to potential injuries. There’s no real substitute for match rhythm if you’re not participating in domestic cricket,” he stated.
Currently, DC sits in fourth place on the IPL 2026 points table, having won both of their matches, with a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +1.170.