Mitchell Starc is set to miss the start of IPL 2026, handing an early challenge to the Delhi Capitals as they gear up for the new season. The experienced left-arm quick will skip the initial phase of the tournament as part of a planned workload management program by Cricket Australia. After a demanding stretch of international commitments, including a full Test schedule and T20 appearances, the management has decided to prioritize his long-term fitness.
At this stage of his career, Starc remains one of Australia’s most valuable assets in red-ball cricket. With a packed international calendar ahead, including multiple Test series and global tournaments, the focus is on ensuring he stays fresh and injury-free for key assignments. As a result, his IPL participation will be delayed rather than rushed.
For Delhi Capitals, this comes as a significant blow. Starc was expected to spearhead the pace attack and bring experience in both powerplay and death overs. His ability to swing the new ball and deliver under pressure makes him a vital part of their bowling plans. Without him, the team may need to rely more on their Indian pacers and overseas backups in the early matches.
The absence of Starc also reflects a wider trend, with several Australian fast bowlers opting for managed workloads to balance franchise cricket with international duties. This could impact team combinations across franchises in the opening weeks of IPL 2026.
However, there is optimism that Starc will join the squad later in the tournament once he completes his recovery and conditioning phase. If he returns fit, he could still play a crucial role in Delhi’s campaign, especially during the business end of the season.
A delayed start, but not the end of impact—Delhi Capitals will be hoping their star pacer arrives just in time to make a difference.
