As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season is just around the corner, the Delhi Capitals are facing a major setback with Australian speedster Mitchell Starc’s injury woes persisting. The 36-year-old, who was signed by the Capitals for a whopping 12 crore rupees, has yet to join the team’s camp and it’s likely that he will miss at least three more matches, leaving Delhi’s bowling department in a precarious state.
Star-Crossed Injury Troubles
Starc’s injury troubles have been well-documented in the cricketing world, and his lack of availability has been a significant blow to the Capitals’ chances of success in the upcoming season. The left-arm fast bowler, who has been one of the most successful bowlers in the world over the past decade, suffered a calf strain during the recently concluded Australia-New Zealand Test series, which has kept him out of the action for the past few weeks.
The Capitals management had been optimistic about Starc’s return to the field in time for the IPL, but it now appears that the Australian will take a bit more time to fully recover from his injury. With at least three more matches set to be missed, Delhi will have to rely heavily on their other bowlers to fill the void left by Starc’s absence.
Depth in Bowling Attack
The Capitals have a decent depth in their bowling attack, with the likes of Anrich Nortje, Ravi Ashwin, and Avesh Khan being some of the key players. However, the absence of Starc will undoubtedly put a lot of pressure on these players to perform, especially in the powerplay overs where Starc’s ability to take wickets is crucial.
Nortje, in particular, will have to step up his game and provide the necessary support to Delhi’s top-order batsmen. The South African pacer has been in decent form over the past few months, but he will need to maintain his rhythm and pick up wickets at regular intervals to keep the opposition in check.
Challenges Ahead
The Delhi Capitals face a massive challenge ahead of them in the IPL 2026, and it’s going to be a tough task to balance their bowling attack without Starc. However, the Capitals management is confident that they have the depth and talent in their squad to overcome this challenge and make a deep run in the tournament.
With at least three more matches set to be missed by Starc, the Capitals will have to rely on their bench strength and rotation policy to manage their bowling attack effectively. The team will also have to work on their strategy to make the most of Starc’s absence and exploit the weaknesses of the opposition.
The Delhi Capitals will kick-start their IPL 2026 campaign against the Punjab Kings on March 20th, and it will be interesting to see how they fare without Starc in the side. The team will have to put up a united front and show the required resolve to overcome the challenges ahead and make a successful bid for the championship title.
Starc’s injury woes may have dealt a significant blow to the Delhi Capitals’ chances of success, but the team is confident that they have the talent and depth to overcome this challenge. The Capitals will have to work hard and show the necessary resolve to make a deep run in the tournament, and it will be an exciting ride for cricket fans to watch the team in action.
