Mitchell Starc is yet to join the Delhi Capitals squad for the IPL 2026. He hasnโt played a competitive game since the end of the Big Bash League and was on course to join DC much before the IPL. However, it got delayed after the left-arm pacer injured his shoulder and elbow during practice. As a result, Cricket Australia hasnโt permitted Starc to play the IPL yet. Unlike Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, the pacer hasnโt come to India yet and that has frustrated the DC management.
Ahead of the match against Gujarat Titans, DCโs bowling coach Munaf Patel shared that the CA hasnโt shared any info on Starcโs injury and hence, the franchise is currently clueless about his status. He highlighted that Starcโs injury hasnโt impacted the team so far as Delhi has been winning, but Munaf reminded what the 36-year-old brings to the table and also compared him with Jasprit Bumrah.
โThere’s no update right now about when he will join the camp. The Australian doctors and physios will be able to update about that,โ Munaf said in the pre-match press conference.
โWe have won two matches, hence it seems like we are not missing Mitchell Starc. No one is missing him because we are doing well, but he has a big role to play. He is one of the best bowlers in the world. He will always be a big bowler. I don’t think there is anyone bigger than him in the IPL as far as bowling is concerned. I think you can only compare Jasprit Bumrah with him,โ he added.
Delhi host Gujarat next
Delhi will host Gujarat Titans on April 8 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Ahead of that, the visitors had a major boost as captain Shubman Gill has been deemed fit and set to return to the playing XI. He missed the previous clash against Rajasthan Royals, owing to a muscle spasm. In his absence, Kumar Kushagra opened the innings, while Rashid Khan stepped up as captain.ย
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