Mitchell Starc will not be available for Delhi Capitals at the start of IPL 2026. Cricket Australia is holding back several of its senior fast bowlers for the tournament’s early phase, with Starc’s return dependent on how he progresses through the board’s return-to-play protocols in the weeks ahead, as reported by cricket.com.au.
The 36-year-old has had a heavy workload lately. He played all five Ashes Tests and then came back for the tail end of the Big Bash League. With Starc already having stepped away from T20 Internationals last year, CA still considers him a cornerstone of their Test and ODI setup and that’s exactly why they’re being careful.
The schedule ahead is punishing. Australia could play as many as 21 Tests across a 12-month window starting August, covering tours of South Africa, India, and England, before heading into the 2027 ODI World Cup. Given that, CA has chosen to keep its frontline pacers fresh rather than risk them in the early weeks of the IPL.
Starc was bought by Delhi Capitals for INR 11.75 crore at the auction. His absence will hurt their bowling attack going into the opening rounds of the season. He won’t be alone in sitting out the start — Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are also part of the same workload management plan. Nathan Ellis is a separate case altogether; he’s been ruled out of the entire tournament with a hamstring injury.