Champion Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc is set to be available for Delhi Capitals’ IPL clash against Rajasthan Royals on May 1 after receiving clearance from Cricket Australia.
The left-arm fast bowler has been out of action since January due to elbow and shoulder issues. He was instrumental during the five-match Ashes series, where he earned the Player of the Series award, and later featured in five games for Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League.
Starc is expected to gradually build up his workload in India and is on course to making his first appearance of the 2026 IPL season in Delhi’s May 1 fixture against Rajasthan Royals.
His absence in the early part of the tournament had sparked discussions around the commitment of overseas players. Starc responded to the criticism on social media, pushing back against what he described as ‘heavily misinformed opinions’.
Also read: Rajasthan Royals beat LSG by 40 runs in IPL clash
“Despite the opinions and views of certain individuals across Indian media platforms, I am currently rehabbing and managing injuries in my shoulder and elbow, the full extent of which I only understood after the Australian summer,” Starc wrote on Instagram.
He further added that some commentators had made strong claims about his IPL participation without accurate information, suggesting they spoke as if they understood his physical condition better than he did.
Last season, Starc was Delhi Capitals’ top pace bowler, taking 14 wickets in 11 matches. The team currently sits fifth on the points table with three wins and three losses from six games.
In related updates, Australian captain Pat Cummins is also expected to make his season debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad, while Josh Hazlewood has already returned to action for Royal Challengers Bengaluru after missing the opening matches.
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