Mitchell Starc Injury: Likely to Miss Three More IPL 2026 Matches

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc injury has kept him away from the Delhi Capitals squad as the side prepares for key early-season clashes in the ongoing IPL 2026.

Starc Faces Injury Setback  

The 36-year-old left-arm pacer is recovering from shoulder and elbow issues back home in Australia. He is yet to join the Delhi Capitals camp and is focusing entirely on rehabilitation.

Recovery Timeline Uncertain  

According to reports, Mitchell Starc is unlikely to link up with the team before April 20. This delay means he will sit out at least three more matches in the tournament.

Three Crucial Fixtures Missed  

The Australian speedster will miss Delhi Capitals’ upcoming games against Gujarat Titans on April 8, Chennai Super Kings on April 11, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 18. The franchise is still hopeful he will be available later in the season.

Starc Addresses Media Criticism  

In a recent social media post, the pacer hit back at critics who questioned his absence. “Despite the opinions and views of certain individuals with their platforms in and through the Indian media, I’m currently rehabbing and managing an injury in my shoulder and elbow, the extent of which I didn’t know during the Australian summer,” Starc wrote. He added that some commentators had offered “heavily misinformed opinions” and claimed to know his body better than he did.

Apology to Franchise and Fans  

Starc also expressed regret over the timing of the setback. “With that said, I do acknowledge this injury setback and that the timing is disruptive to the Delhi team, and I apologise for that and to the fans for not being available for the early part of this season,” he stated. He confirmed he remains in regular touch with the team and is committed to joining as soon as possible.

DC Unbeaten Despite Absence  

Even without their marquee overseas bowler, Delhi Capitals have made a strong start to IPL 2026. Under skipper Axar Patel, the side has won both its matches so far — against Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians — and sits fourth on the points table with four points and a net run rate of +1.170.

Bowling Unit Steps Up  

The pace attack has shown real depth in Mitchell Starc’s absence. Mukesh Kumar has been impressive with the new ball, while Lungi Ngidi and T Natarajan have delivered in crunch situations. The spin department, led by Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam, has controlled the middle overs effectively, giving the team balance across formats of play.

Hope for Late-Season Return  

Delhi Capitals management continues to monitor Starc’s progress closely. While no firm date has been set, officials remain optimistic that the experienced pacer can still contribute significantly once he regains full fitness.

Future Outlook for DC  

As the tournament enters a busy phase, Delhi Capitals will look to build on their unbeaten record and keep the momentum going. Fans across the country are watching closely for the latest Mitchell Starc injury update and hoping to see the star pacer in action soon. The side’s ability to perform without him highlights the squad’s overall strength heading into the middle phase of IPL 2026.

Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals: A Nail-Biting Finish

In one of the most thrilling matches of the season, the Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals clash lived up to all expectations as the Giants secured a dramatic 3-run victory on the final ball. The high-scoring encounter kept fans on the edge of their seats and played a crucial role in shaping the points table, with Gujarat climbing back to second place after this hard-fought win.

The match highlighted the growing intensity and competitiveness of women’s T20 cricket, making it a must-watch contest for fans and analysts alike.

Gujarat Giants Set a Challenging Target

Batting first, Gujarat Giants posted a strong total of 174/9 in 20 overs, thanks to a composed innings from Beth Mooney and valuable contributions from the middle order.

Key highlights from Gujarat’s innings:

 Beth Mooney anchored the innings with a well-paced 58 off 46 balls

 Anushka Sharma impressed with a fluent 39 off 25 balls, hitting eight boundaries

 Tanuja Kanwer’s late cameo of 21 off 11 balls pushed Gujarat past the 170 mark

Despite losing early wickets, Mooney and Anushka built a crucial partnership that stabilized the innings. Delhi Capitals fought back strongly through Shree Charani, whose excellent spell of 4/31 kept Gujarat from running away with the game.

Delhi Capitals’ Chase Falters Under Pressure

Chasing a target of 175, Delhi Capitals began aggressively but lost momentum at key moments. Shafali Verma looked dangerous early before being dismissed by Rajeshwari Gayakwad in the third over, setting the tone for Gujarat’s disciplined bowling effort.

Sophie Devine once again proved why she is one of the most impactful all-rounders in the format:

 Dismissed Alice Capsey (Lee) for the 11th time in T20s

 Sent Jemimah Rodrigues back for the fifth time in the format

 Finished with four crucial wickets, despite conceding runs in the death overs

Ashleigh Gardner also played her part by removing Marizanne Kapp, keeping Delhi under constant pressure.

Niki Prasad’s Fight Goes in Vain

The turning point of Delhi’s chase was Niki Prasad’s fighting knock of 47 runs, which kept the Capitals in the hunt till the very end. Supported briefly by a late cameo from Rana, Delhi came within touching distance of the target.

However, calm execution in the final over helped Gujarat Giants defend the total, sealing a memorable last-ball victory.

Why This Match Matters Right Now

The Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals thriller underlines the rising standard of women’s cricket, where matches are increasingly decided by fine margins. Performances from players like Sophie Devine, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, and Niki Prasad showcase the depth of talent and the growing excitement around the league.

In a match defined by pressure, skill, and composure, Gujarat Giants held their nerve to defeat Delhi Capitals by 3 runs. While Niki Prasad’s brave effort earned admiration, it was the bowling brilliance of Devine and Gayakwad that ultimately made the difference in this unforgettable contest.