Mitchell Starc IPL 2026 Return: Firepower on Display for Delhi Capitals
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Mitchell Starc Roars Back: 3-Wicket Haul Signals IPL 2026 Intent
After months on the sidelines with shoulder and elbow concerns, Mitchell Starc didn’t just return to the IPL — he announced his presence with thunderous impact. The left-arm speedster claimed 3 for 40 on his debut for Delhi Capitals against Rajasthan Royals, immediately validating his late arrival to the tournament and drawing high praise from former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop.
Firepower Answered Early Doubts
Bishop, who observed Starc’s performance closely on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show, admitted he had initial concerns.
“I had a question in my own mind: what sort of form will he come into this after that protracted break that he had,”
But those doubts were swiftly dispelled. Despite being taken for a six on the very first ball by Yashasvi Jaiswal, Starc responded two deliveries later by dismissing the same batter with his trademark high full toss — a delivery that has become his signature dismissal weapon.
Though he conceded 16 runs in his first two overs, Starc tightened the screws at the death, returning to bowl the 17th over. There, he removed both Ravindra Jadeja (20) and the rampaging Riyan Parag (90) in quick succession, halting Rajasthan’s momentum at a crucial juncture.
“He’s brought some firepower with him. It was pleasing,”
Bishop noted, adding, “The last over went for a few runs, otherwise the figures would have been a lot better.”
A Statement of Fitness and Focus
Beyond the wickets, Starc’s body language spoke volumes. Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu highlighted a diving stop the pacer made at backward point early in the 16th over, an effort that symbolized his readiness and physical shape.
“More than his bowling, there was a moment in the game that showed me that he is really ready,”
Rayudu said. “He had a diving stop at point, which shows that his body is good and he is feeling good about himself and he is ready for the challenge.”
He also pointed to Starc’s animated presence in team huddles — vocal, engaged, and fiercely invested.
“He was quite animated the way he was speaking. He is into it and it is good for such a big cricketer to really be in the game. He wants to prove a point.”
Jamieson’s Crucial Early Breakthrough
‘Never Been So Fearful of a 15-Year-Old’
While Starc made headlines, Kyle Jamieson delivered a pivotal over early on, dismissing teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for just 4 in the second over. The destructive opener, fresh off first-ball sixes against Jasprit Bumrah and Pat Cummins, never got a chance to face Starc.
Jamieson revealed the dismissal was part of a planned strategy.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been so fearful of a 15-year-old kid in my life,”
he joked on iplt20.com. “But yeah, we did some planning, and it was nice that it played off.”
His aggressive celebration earned him a demerit point and a warning, but the result mattered more: disrupting Rajasthan’s explosive start.
World-Class Boost at the Right Time
Jamieson emphasized how valuable Starc’s return is for Delhi’s campaign.
“He is world-class, right. So whenever you can have one of those guys in your squad, it’s a huge benefit,”
he said, calling it “surreal” to share the new ball with Starc. “He came at the right time. We needed to get a bit of a move on on the points table. It’s nice to have him in.”
For his part, Starc remained characteristically grounded, saying he was just happy to get “some miles in the legs” and readjust to the pace of T20 cricket.
“Nice to get some cobwebs out, get back to the speed of the game,”
he said. Despite the first-ball six, he felt he “ticked the boxes” skill-wise. With regular training and match exposure now underway, Starc is clearly building toward peak form — and Delhi Capitals couldn’t have him back at a better time.
