Huge boost! Mitchell Starc set to return as Delhi Capitals get massive IPL 2026 lift

The Delhi Capitals made a strong start to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 campaign with two successive victories before faltering, winning only one of their previous four fixtures. Recently, they dropped to the fifth position of the points table after facing a 47-run defeat against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

During the press conference of a previous game, the DC bowling coach stated that they had no issues with their premier left-arm pacer, Mitchell Starc, not joining the squad, as they were on a winning track. But as they have started to lose, the concerns raised before they finally got the massive boost. 

Starc rejoins DC camp after brief absence

The Australian pacer has been cleared to travel to IPL after overcoming the shoulder and elbow issues and is hoping to be available for their game against the Rajasthan Royals on May 01. The 36-year-old hasn’t played any game since January and had a monstrous workload in the Ashes with 31 wickets at 19.93 in 153.1 overs across the five Tests.

Starc turned up for the Sydney Sixers in the BBL 2025/26 late January, helping them to the final. In one of those clashes against the Perth Scorchers, he fell heavily on his left shoulder while diving for a catch. After a break in February, he experienced soreness when he returned to bowling.

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It's been reported that the veteran had a good week of pain-free bowling in Sydney and is due to fly to India on Friday morning before being available for their game against the Rajasthan Royals on May 01in Jaipur.

The return of Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood to full fitness is a huge relief for Cricket Australia, which has been cautious about the management of the star trio of quicks. They are set to play 20 Tests, possibly 21 if they qualify for the WTC final next June, between August 2026 and August 2027, before the next ODI World Cup 2027. 

How Mitchell Starc strengthens Delhi Capitals’ bowling attack

Starc’s presence in the eleven will be a huge boost for the Delhi side as they can then divide Starc and Ngidi’s eight overs into three phases. But in that case, they will have to leave one of Pathum Nissanka and David Miller. If the former goes out, they will have the chance to use Prithvi Shaw as an opener.

Last year, he picked up 14 wickets in 11 innings at an economy rate of just over 10. And Delhi will hope to see the sharpness from him. But before the clash on May 01, the Capitals will play two more games against the Punjab Kings on April 25 and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 27.