Back on track, top Australian quick Mitchell Starc got the green light to head off for IPL 2026 once shoulder and elbow issues faded away. His comeback looms large for the Delhi Capitals ahead of their match against the Rajasthan Royals on May 1.

Since late January, the 36-year-old had stayed sidelined, worn down by heavy spells in the Ashes, then later hurt during Big Bash duty. Outstanding in the Ashes, Starc clinched 31 wickets, with an average just under twenty to go with more than 150 overs spread through five Tests, landing him the top player of the series.

Then came a stint with Sydney Sixers: five games played before a hard tumble while chasing a catch against Perth Scorchers sparked pain in both shoulder and elbow. A pause in February followed, yet when soreness crept back upon resuming bowling, his IPL 2026 start slipped further, prompting him to clear up online chatter rife with wrong assumptions.

Mitchell Starc set for IPL return

Back on track, top Australian quick Mitchell Starc got the green light to head off for IPL 2026 once shoulder and elbow issues faded away. Since late January, the 36-year-old had stayed sidelined, worn down by heavy spells in the Ashes, then later hurt during Big Bash duty.

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Mitchell Starc is likely to arrive in India this week and might miss Delhi's next three games. Delhi are set to face table-toppers Punjab Kings on April 25 and the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 27.

Axar Patel's Delhi will take on Rajasthan Royals on May 1 in Jaipur, but it might be too early for Mitchell Starc's return. However, the legendary Aussie could feature in Delhi's home game against Chennai Super Kings on May 5. He is likely to spend some time in the nets to regain full match fitness, having last played competitive cricket in late January.

Meanwhile, in his absence, Delhi Capitals have won three of their opening six games in the IPL 2026. Lungi Ngidi has led the pace attack with regulars Mukesh Kumar and T Natarajan. New signing Auqib Nabi also made two appearances before being dropped from the last game against SRH.