Delhi Capitals have confirmed that Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc will miss the opening phase of IPL 2026, dealing an early setback to the Axar Patel-led side ahead of the tournament’s start on March 28.
With the franchise still chasing its first IPL title, Starc’s delayed arrival has prompted the team management to reassess its combinations for the initial matches of the season. Earlier speculation suggested that the left-arm quick could miss a few games due to workload management, a situation now clarified by the Capitals’ leadership group.
Delhi Capitals await NOC from Cricket Australia
At a pre-season press conference in New Delhi, head coach Hemang Badani and captain Axar Patel addressed the issue while speaking to reporters. Badani explained that Starc’s availability remains uncertain until Cricket Australia grants the required No Objection Certificate.
“We are waiting for an NOC from Cricket Australia, once we get that, then only we can say anything about Starc’s availability,” Badani told the media.
Further details were provided by Delhi Capitals’ Director of Cricket Venugopal Rao, who indicated that fitness considerations were also a factor in the delay.
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“Mitchell Starc will come, we are just waiting for the NOC because his fitness is a concern. We are just waiting for it,” Rao informed.
Starc most recently featured in the Big Bash League 2025-26 season for Sydney Sixers, claiming 10 wickets in five innings.
CA’s NOC rules affect multiple IPL franchises
The Capitals are not alone in facing challenges related to Australian players’ availability for IPL 2026. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are also set to miss the early part of the competition due to Cricket Australia’s strict approach to issuing NOCs.
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Hazlewood has not played since the Sheffield Shield 2025 because of a hamstring and achilles tendon issue, which led to the board denying him clearance to represent Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Cummins, meanwhile, has been dealing with a back problem, making him unavailable for Sunrisers Hyderabad at the start of the tournament.
Starc’s delayed arrival echoes last season
This is not the first time Delhi Capitals have had to cope without Starc at the beginning of an IPL campaign. The left-arm pacer, who joined the franchise in 2025, started last season strongly and finished with 14 wickets in 10 innings.
Delhi Capitals were well placed in the race for the playoffs before the tournament was halted amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. When the league later resumed, Starc did not return to India, and the side eventually exited the competition in the group stage.
