New Delhi: Delhi Capitals have suffered a major setback as star pacer Mitchell Starc is set to remain unavailable for an extended period during IPL 2026, according to reports.

The left-arm quick, who is yet to join the squad this season, is reportedly recovering from shoulder and elbow injuriesdelaying his return to competitive action.

Starc likely to miss more matches

As per reports, Starc is expected to miss at least three more matcheswith a possible return only after April 20.

• Gujarat Titans (April 8)
• Chennai Super Kings (April 11)
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru (April 18)

His absence leaves a significant gap in Delhi’s pace attack during a crucial early phase of the tournament.

DC managing well despite absence

Led by Axar Patel, Delhi Capitals have still made a strong start, winning their opening matches against Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians.

In Starc’s absence, the bowling responsibilities have been handled by:

• Mukesh Kumar
• T Natarajan
• Kuldeep Yadav

While the attack has looked balanced, Starc’s experience and wicket-taking ability would have added an extra edge, particularly in high-pressure games.

Starc responds to criticism

Earlier, Starc addressed criticism regarding his delayed arrival, clarifying that his absence is purely due to injury management.

He stated that he has been rehabilitating shoulder and elbow issuesand pushed back against speculation questioning his commitment to the IPL.

The Australian pacer also acknowledged the timing of his injury setback, apologising to the franchise and fans for missing the start of the season, while reaffirming his dedication to the team.

Big-money signing yet to feature

Delhi Capitals had invested heavily to secure Starc’s services, signing him for ₹11.75 crore in the 2025 auction. The 36-year-old had an impressive previous season, picking up 14 wicketsunderlining his value to the squad.

What lies ahead

Delhi Capitals will now aim to maintain their winning momentum despite missing one of their marquee players. The focus will remain on managing workloads and extracting maximum performance from the current bowling unit.

Conclusion

Starc’s delayed return is undoubtedly a setback, but Delhi Capitals have shown resilience early in IPL 2026. If they can sustain their form, his eventual comeback later in the tournament could provide a timely boost for a potential playoff push.