Mitchell Starc for Delhi Capitals - (Source: AFP)In a significant development, Delhi Capitals have confirmed that Australia speedster Mitchell Starc will miss the start of IPL 2026. It is a big blow to the Axar Patel-led side as the cash-studded league is set to begin on March 28. The Capitals are in search of their maiden IPL title, and Starc’s absence will force the Axar Patel-led side to revisit their combination. There were reports that Starc might miss a few games because of workload management, and the same has been confirmed by the Delhi Capitals head coach and captain. Delhi Capitals Confirms Mitchell Starc’s Late ArrivalAhead of the new season, Delhi Capitals held a press conference with head coach Hemang Badani and captain Axar Patel, where they spoke to the reporters and also addressed questions on the Australia speedster.Speaking to the press, Badani confirmed that Cricket Australia hasn’t issued a NOC (No Objection Certificate) to the left-arm seamer. He added that once the CA issues an NOC to Starc, then only the Capitals will know about the 36-year-old’s availability.“We are waiting for an NOC from Cricket Australia, once we get that, then only we can say anything about Starc’s availability," Badani told the media in New Delhi on Monday.Why Has Cricket Australia Delayed Mitchell Starc’s NOC For IPL 2026Contrary to earlier reports that Starc won’t be available because of workload management is untrue because Delhi Capitals’ Director of Cricket Venugopal Rao stated that there are fitness concerns as well. "Mitchell Starc will come, we are just waiting for the NOC because his fitness is a concern. We are just waiting for it," Rao informed.Notably, Starc last featured in BBL 2025-26 where he played for Sydney Sixers and took 10 wickets in five innings.Mitchell Starc Is The Latest Victim To CA’s Strict NOC RulesFor IPL 2026, teams are struggling with Australia players’ availibility. Notably, not just Starc but Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will also miss the first few games due to Cricket Australia’s strictness.Also Read: 3 Players In RCB IPL Squad Who Might Not Play A Single Match In 2026 SeasonNotably, Hazlewood and Cummins are nursing injuries. Hazlewood has not played cricket since Sheffield Shield 2025 because of hamstring issue and achillies tendon. Therefore, the board denied him an NOC to play for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Also, Pat Cummins has struggled with his back issue, making him unavailable for SRH.Mitchell Starc's Absence Also Hurt Delhi Capitals In IPL 2025It is not the first time that Delhi Capitals will miss Mitchell Starc's services due to a delayed arrival. The left-arm seamer was roped in by the GMR and JSW owned group in 2025. Starc started for the Capitals last season and picked up 14 wickets in 10 innings.Capitals had a strong season and were on course to qualify for the playoffs which is when the league was halted because of heightened India-Pakistan relations. The two nations were on the verge of war and when the league resumed, Starc refused to return to India which hurt DC and they crashed out in the group stage.Also Read: Jay Shah's ICC Rewards Sahibzada Farhan; Pakistan T20 World Cup Hero Joins Historic List
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