Lungi Ngidi To Replace Mitch Starc: How Delhi Capitals Can Include South African Pacer In IPL 2026

How DC can play Ngidi in IPL 2026 [Source: AFP]

Lungi Ngidi has been a revelation for the South African team in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The Proteas lineup includes some of the best bowlers, but Ngidi overshadowed them all as the Rainbow Nation has one foot in the semifinals of the World Cup.

This return in form is not only a blessing in disguise for the South African squad, but also for the IPL franchise, Delhi Capitals. The team from Delhi acquired Ngidi’s services for the upcoming IPL campaign, and it is fair to say that they have struck a masterstroke.

The pacer boasts stellar T20 numbers in recent years and has been a nightmare for the batters. However, where will DC play him? The franchise cannot drop an in-form pacer from their lineup, but they also cannot compromise on Mitch Starc, who has been their premium pacer.

So, how can the Delhi Capitals incorporate Ngidi in their playing XI for the IPL 2026 season? Here are two ways by which the franchise can get the best out of him.

Play Ngidi in place of Mitch Starc

The easiest way to incorporate Ngidi in DC’s playing XI is to drop Mitchell Starc and play the Proteas pacer in place of him. Starc will certainly be a key member of the DC team, but the franchise should start an in-form pacer over the Aussie bowler.

Starc has not played competitive cricket since the BBL 2025-26 season, and the fast bowler will be rusty at the start of the IPL 2026 campaign. As a result, the Delhi side will be aiming to get Ngidi in their playing XI, especially keeping in mind his stellar T20 record as of late.

(Ngidi in T20 WC 2026 so far)

• In the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, Ngidi has been one of ther best bowlers. The lanky pacer has scalped 11 wickets in five innings, with an economy of just 6.80.
• He has been brilliant in the powerplay, in the middle-overs, and this is the trait that DC could use in the upcoming IPL season.
• Ngidi’s cutters has been hard to pick, and on tricky surfaces in the IPL, the Proteas seamer could come in handy.
• At least for the start of the season, the franchise should aim to start with the in-form Ngidi in place of Starc.

Also Read: Lungi Ngidi Becomes The 1st Ever Bowler To Do This vs India

Include both Ngidi and Starc in Playing XI

The other way that DC could incorporate Ngidi in the lineup is by playing him alongside Mitch Starc. This would mean that the team will compromise on their batting, with two out of four overseas stars being bowlers.

The advantage DC has is that the franchise boasts a plethora of quality Indian talent, and hence, in the batting department, they can compromise with one overseas batter short. In KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, and Abishek Porel, the top order looks fine, and then David Miller, and Tristan Stubbs could be used as two overseas batters in the middle-order.

That would leave two foreign slots left in the playing XI, and DC can then field both Starc, and Ngidi together in the IPL.

Final verdict

Ngidi is the man in form for South Africa, and the Delhi Capitals shouldn’t waste this opportunity by benching him for Mitch Starc. Instead, the pacer should be incorporated in the playing XI for IPL 2026. The franchise has two routes to pick- one, they can drop Starc, and play Ngidi.

Second, the team can field an overseas batter less to play both Starc and Ngidi together in the playing XI.

Also Read: Umar Akmal Brutally Roasts Babar Azam After T20 World Cup Flop Show