Delhi Capitals (DC) have been dealt an early setback ahead of IPL 2026, with star Australian pacer Mitchell Starc set to miss the opening phase of the tournament. While the exact number of matches hasn’t been officially confirmed, reports suggest he will be unavailable for the “first few games,” meaning he is likely to sit out at least the initial fixtures.

For Delhi, this means Starc will almost certainly miss their season opener against Lucknow Super Giants on April 1, along with a few more matches in the early part of the campaign. His return will depend on how quickly he progresses through return-to-play protocols in the coming weeks.

Unlike some of his Australian teammates, Starc is not dealing with an injury. Instead, his absence is part of a carefully planned workload management strategy by Cricket Australia, which is looking to keep its key fast bowlers fresh for a demanding international schedule.

This makes Starc’s situation quite different from Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, who are currently sidelined due to injuries. For Starc, it’s about long-term fitness rather than recovery.

Workload management behind Mitchell Starc’s absence

The decision to rest Starc highlights just how intense the upcoming calendar is for Australia. Over the next year, the team is expected to play a heavy load of Test cricket, including major tours and series that will require their top bowlers to be at peak fitness.

Starc, in particular, has had a demanding 12 months. He has bowled a significant number of overs in Test cricket, playing all five Ashes matches and featuring in other domestic competitions as well. With such a workload behind him, managing his fitness becomes crucial.

Even though he has stepped away from T20 internationals, Starc remains a key figure in Australia’s plans for longer formats. Ensuring he stays fresh for those commitments appears to be the priority.

For Delhi Capitals, however, his absence leaves a noticeable gap. Starc’s ability to strike early with the new ball and create pressure in the powerplay is one of his biggest strengths. Last season, he picked up 14 wickets in 11 matches, proving his value to the side.

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Pace bowling options for Delhi Capitals

In his absence, DC will have to rely on their existing pace options. Bowlers like T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar, Lungi Ngidi and Dushmantha Chameera will be expected to step up and share the responsibility.

The franchise, led by Axar Patel, will aim to navigate the early matches without their marquee signing and stay competitive until Starc returns. If they can hold their ground, the Aussie pacer’s arrival later in the tournament could provide a major boost, especially before the race for playoffs intensifies.

For now, the message is clear – Delhi Capitals will have to start IPL 2026 without one of their biggest weapons, but with enough depth to stay in the fight until he joins the squad.

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