Hemang Badani Criticizes Cricket Australia Over Mitchell Starc’s Delayed IPL 2026 Availability

A Coach’s Frustration: The Mitchell Starc Situation

In the high-stakes environment of the Indian Premier League (IPL), every match is a battle, and every player’s presence is vital. For Delhi Capitals head coach Hemang Badani, the absence of his pace spearhead, Mitchell Starc, during the initial phase of the 2026 tournament was a source of significant concern. Recently, Badani took a moment to candidly address the challenges franchises face when international boards, specifically Cricket Australia, manage the availability of their star players.

The Impact of Delayed Availability

Mitchell Starc, a name synonymous with world-class fast bowling, linked up with the Delhi Capitals squad well after the IPL 2026 season had commenced. His late entry was the result of Cricket Australia’s cautious approach to managing the pacer’s workload following a demanding international schedule. While the necessity of managing player health is understood, the impact on franchise planning is undeniable.

Badani did not mince his words when discussing the team’s reliance on Starc. ‘Ideally, I would want my players to be available to me from day one. And Starc is probably one of my biggest players in my squad, and we’ve invested in him, and we know that he’s a match winner,’ Badani stated during a post-match press conference.

The Power Balance in Cricket

The Delhi Capitals coach acknowledged a sobering reality in modern cricket: the franchise’s limited agency when it comes to international governing bodies. ‘Certain things that are decided by associations and governing bodies, there’s very little that we can do. Because if Cricket Australia does not release him there’s little a coach or any franchise can do,’ he explained. This sentiment underscores a growing tension between the commercial requirements of global T20 leagues and the protective mandates of national cricket boards.

Starc’s Instant Impact

Despite his late arrival, Starc’s influence has been immediate. His standout performance came in the 62nd match of the tournament against the Rajasthan Royals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Bowling with his trademark precision and intensity, Starc claimed 4/40, playing a pivotal role in securing a crucial victory for the Delhi Capitals. In just five appearances since joining the team, he has already racked up nine wickets, proving exactly why his absence in the early rounds was felt so keenly.

Mentorship and Professionalism

Beyond his raw bowling statistics, Badani highlighted Starc’s immense value as a mentor. According to the coach, the veteran Australian pacer has been instrumental in shaping the younger bowlers at Delhi Capitals. ‘His work ethic, his preparation before the game with his own plans and his training are above par,’ Badani praised. ‘I don’t even see that with a lot of the younger boys, that’s the reason why he has sustained for so long.’

The influence extends into the nets and the dressing room, where Starc shares his deep reservoir of tactical knowledge. ‘He’s always talking to them, he’s always trying to pass on the knowledge—how can you do reverse swing, how do I hold lengths, what do I do when a certain batter is going hard,’ Badani noted. This level of engagement provides a significant boost to the squad’s growth, proving that Starc’s value transcends his match-day performances.

Looking Ahead

As the tournament progresses, the Delhi Capitals will be looking to build on the momentum provided by their star bowler. Starc’s ability to single-handedly change the course of a game—a trait Badani noted was evident during his heroics in the recent Ashes series—remains a cornerstone of the team’s aspirations for the remainder of the season. While the coach may still harbor frustrations regarding the initial delay, there is no doubt that having Mitchell Starc back in the fold is a massive boost for the franchise’s campaign.