New Delhi: Delhi Capitals remain hopeful of Mitchell Starc’s arrival to the squad before their opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 on April 1, amidst the wait for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Cricket Australia
The Delhi-based franchise confirmed the developement on Monday during a media interaction.
Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel, cricket director Venugopal Rao and head coach Hemang Badani addressed multiple questions on the availability of the star pacer, who picked up 14 wickets in 11 games last season.
DC awaiting NOC for Starc
“We are waiting to get the NOC from Cricket Australia. Once we get that, we will know when he will join us,” said Badani.
“We are in constant touch with CA. He has been bowling; he had a bowled a few days back. Unless Cricket Australia signs off on him that he is fit to play, there is little a franchise can do,” admitted Badani when asked if the delay in issuing NOC was due to fitness or workload management.
Sitting next to him, Rao sounded hopeful of Starc’s arrival: “He is coming, it is just a question of getting the NOC from Cricket Australia. They are monitoring, we are monitoring (his fitness and workload). ”
Meanwhile, Axar fielded the question on the possibility of playing T Natarajan in Starc’s place if the latter doesn’t arrive ahead of DC’s opening game against LSG in Lucknow on April 1.
“It is tough to answer that at this stage. If Starc gets NOC, he can come before the first match also. We are waiting for that update. If he doesnt come there is no temptation to replace a left arm pacer with a left arm pacer.
“It is about team combination. Having said that, Natajaran is doing really well and is 100 percent fit,” said Axar.
Natarajan featured in just two games in IPL 2026 due to a shoulder injury.
Not a fan of “Impact Rule”, says Axar
Axar also commented on the “Impact Rule” in IPL, which has faced criticism in the past from several players and experts. Patel, on Monday, became the latest Indian cricketer to criticise the rule and stated that it hurts the growth of all-rounders
“I don’t like this rule as I am all rounder myself (laughs). Earlier we used to pick all-rounder for this role (batting and bowling). Now team management goes with a particular batter or bowler, they say why do we need an all-rounder? “Being an all-rounder myself I don’t like it but at the same time rules are rules. We have to follow them. But personally I don’t like it,” said Axar.
The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League begins on March 28 with the blockbuster clash between defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and 2016 winners Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).