IPL 2026 twist! Will Lungi Ngidi & Mitchell Starc miss DC vs RCB clash? Big update out

Two defeats in back-to-back matches. One win in the last five games. Delhi Capitals (DC) are struggling. Tonight, they will have to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who are currently the second-ranked team in the IPL 2026 points table.

To make a strong case against the defending champions, DC is likely to make a few changes in the line-up. Additionally, they will have to restore some cracks on their wall as well.

 Injury concerns around Lungi Ngidi raise doubts over his availability

Ahead of the DC vs RCB match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, there are concerns over the availability of the South African pacer Lungi Ngidi, who had to leave the field in an ambulance in their previous match. While fielding against the Punjab Kings, the DC player got a knock on his head as he landed hard on the ground. Medical staff rushed to the spot and quickly took the overseas player to the nearest hospital to provide medical support on an immediate basis. 

Will Ngidi play tonight against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru? The question remains. According to the latest report, the South African pacer is fit and fine. If the team keeps him out of the match, only because of safety measures, then it will be a huge blow for DC, as Lungi Ngidi is one of their key bowlers.

If the media reports are to be believed, then the right-arm seamer is unlikely to play against RCB tonight. Ngidi might have to go through multiple medical checks to get a clearance to appear in the playing XI. As he is unlikely to play, DC will have to keep a substitute ready.

Read More: IPL 2026: Rohit Sharma to miss another match? Video drops hint

Mitchell Starc’s participation still unclear ahead of big match

Who can replace the world-class pacer Lungi Ngidi? The obvious choice is Mitchell Starc. But he will also not be going to play tonight. 

Mitchell Starc is another prolific pacer who is in DC’s arsenal. But the Australian speed star is yet to play for the team in the ongoing IPL 2026 season. He is confirmed to miss tonight’s match as well.

When will Starc be able to take the ground for DC in this season? The team management is expecting to receive a green signal from Cricket Australia (CA) soon.

“Cricket Australia has given a report. From 1st May onwards (Rajasthan Royals match), he is available. We will wait and see the combination,” Venugopal Rao, DC’s Director of Cricket, informed after their defeat against the Punjab Kings.

In such a scenario, when both of the premier frontline bowlers are expected not to play against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the Delhi Capitals are left with only one option in their set-up, that is, Sri Lanka’s Dushmantha Chameera.

The 34-year-old fast bowler has not played a single match so far in IPL 2026. In the previous season, he played 6 matches, taking 4 wickets for an economy rate of 11.40, which was very costly.

DC have already beaten RCB once in IPL 2026

Delhi Capitals carry a decent head-to-head record against RCB. In the Indian Premier League, they have registered 13 wins against RCB, while RCB claimed 19 wins over DC.

In IPL 2026, in their previous encounter, DC outplayed Bengaluru and claimed the match. Tristan Stubbs was the star performer of the night.