Right now, Mitchell Starc hasn’t joined the Delhi Capitals squad. He's still back home in Australia, dealing with injuries to his shoulder and elbow. Because of that, he probably won’t play before April 20. His comeback might take more time than expected.

Three upcoming games will go on without him. The team must manage for now without their left-arm pacer. So Starc will likely sit out big games against the Gujarat Titans, then the Chennai Super Kings, followed by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. His comeback date is still unclear. Yet Delhi Capitals still expect a possible return later in the campaign.

Delhi Capitals thriving despite Mitchell Starc's absence

Funny thing is, DC keeps rolling even without Mitchell Starc. Led by Axar Patel, they’ve beaten Lucknow Super Giants and then crushed Mumbai Indians, their bowlers standing tall each time. Victory after victory now feels like second nature.

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Fresh off the mark, Mukesh Kumar made his presence felt early with sharp pace. Instead of fading, Lungi Ngidi held firm when pressure built at the end. So did T. Natarajan, staying on target when runs came easily for others. Through it all, Axar spun control into the core overs. Alongside him, Kuldeep Yadav slowed down scoring without flash. Even Vipraj Nigam slipped in quietly, matching them dot-for-dot.

Still, Mitchell Starc has stayed connected with the squad, speaking up lately about the talk on why he's missing. From his online post, it became clear he’s working through recovery, calling out guesses made without facts. He pushed back on false takes spreading around what’s really going on.

“Despite the opinions and views of certain individuals… I’m currently rehabbing and managing an injury in my shoulder and elbow,” Mitchell Starc said, adding that some commentary had unfairly questioned his commitment.

He also apologised to the team and fans for missing the early part of the season, while reaffirming his intent to join the squad as soon as possible.

“I acknowledge this setback… I remain committed to joining DC and will continue to do what I can to be available as soon as possible,” he added.

Delhi Capitals are now focusing on their game against Gujarat Titans, as they seek to continue their unbeaten streak. Sameer Rizvi has been the star performer in difficult chases; however, the team will also be expecting more runs from their seasoned batsmen. If DC manage to score a victory, they will be placed at the pinnacle of the IPL 2026 points table, and that will be a big boost to their momentum in recent games.