Australia pacer Mitchell Starc will miss the initial stages of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, Cricket Australia (CA) have confirmed. Starc, who is contracted with the Delhi Capitals (DC), joins his countrymen Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Josh Hazlewood (Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on the sidelines of the new season, which is set to commence from March 28.
Moreover, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Nathan Ellis has been ruled out of the tournament completely due to injury.
According to Crickt.com.au, “Cricket Australia is taking a cautious approach with their star multi-format bowlers given what lies ahead.” Over the next 12 months, Australia are set to play as many as 21 matches, including tours to India, South Africa and England before the 2027 ODI World Cup.
“The trio’s availability will depend on progress in their return to play protocols over the next few weeks,” the report further added.
The Axar Patel-led Capitals have Lungi Ngidi, Dushmantha Chameera and Kyle Jamieson as their other overseas fast bowling options.
DC splashed INR 11.75 crore to acquire Starc, who had played a pivotal role in helping Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third IPL title in 2024. He played all five Ashes Test and also the latter stages of the Big Bash League (BBL) but did not participate in the T20 World Cup as he had announced his retirement from the format at the international level.
The left-arm seamer has played just 52 matches in the IPL, since making his debut in 2014, and has picked up 65 wickets at an economy rate of 8.61. Currently, he has also the joint second-highest wicket-taker for Australia in T20Is, with 79 scalps from 65 matches.
DC get their IPL 2026 campaign underway against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 1 in Lucknow.
