Published on: Apr 7, 2026 5:56 pm IST|Updated on: Apr 7, 2026 5:56 pm IST
The Delhi Capitals have received the latest update on their premium left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc’s availability. The 36-year-old is likely to miss three more games for the Capitals before he finally arrives in India to kick off his DC duties in the Tata IPL 2026. The left-arm pacer updated the public about his injury concerns a few days back, stating that he is nursing a shoulder injury. Starc took to social media to provide an update and called out misleading information, addressing the noise around his unavailability. Here’s what Starc quoted on social media.
“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, am in continual communication updating the team and will continue to do what I can to be available for DC asap.”
“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, am in continual communication updating the team and will continue to do what I can to be available for DC asap.”
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Starc’s last appearance in competitive cricket came in the Big Bash League 2025-26 season while representing his home side, the Sydney Sixers, towards the end of January. Since then, it has been over two months since Starc was last seen on a cricket field. Starc endured a heavy toll during the home Ashes summer, playing all five Ashes Tests against England, resulting in shoulder and elbow soreness from the strain.
As per reliable sources, Starc will be joining the Delhi Capitals’ camp after April 20, ahead of the Sunrisers Hyderabad clash in Hyderabad. This means the left-arm pacer will be missing three more games for the franchise. The 2020 runners-up have had a terrific start to their season campaign, winning two out of two games and finding themselves among the top 4 on the points table. Take a look at the three games Starc would be missing for now,
Starc’s status as a world‑class bowler is beyond question. DC management had doubts hovering in their minds on who could step in for Starc till the time he remains unavailable. Proteas experienced right-arm pacer Lungi Ngidi put his hands up to step into the big shoes left by Starc and lead the pace attack. Ngidi has played an exponential role in DC’s twin wins this season, scalping 4 wickets across the two games.
Ngidi was never going to be DC’s first overseas pick among the pacers if Starc was here, but as they say, someone’s loss is another’s gain, and Ngidi has been one of DC’s brightest stars with the ball so far this season. Upon Starc’s arrival, it will be interesting to see whether DC management pairs him with Ngidi in tandem or opts to replace Ngidi with the returning Aussie left‑arm pacer. Time will reveal the outcome.
Tags: IPL 2026