Why did Mitchell Starc miss DC vs GT clash of IPL 2026?

Mitchell Starc has not played any games for DC in IPL 2026.

With the home advantage, Delhi Capitals (DC) will be eyeing their third consecutive win in the Indian Premier League 2026 against the Gujarat Titans (GT). The DC vs GT match got underway on Wednesday, April 8, at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Axar Patel & Co. defeated Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Mumbai Indians (MI) in their previous matches. In both matches, they restricted the opposition to a low total and chased down the target by six wickets.

Although DC lost a few batters at the start quickly, Sameer Rizvi played impeccable knocks in both games to bring the team home. He took charge of the chase and scored consecutive half-centuries, winning Player of the Match awards.

Although DC’s bowling unit has done a superb job so far, they still miss the services of pacer Mitchell Starc. The Australian stalwart did not play in the previous games and is also absent from the clash against the Gujarat Titans, where DC won the toss and opted to field first.

Why is Mitchell Starc absent from the DC vs GT clash?

Notably, Starc is recovering from shoulder and elbow injuries and has not joined the DC squad for IPL 2026. He is undergoing rehabilitation in Australia and is expected to join the squad in the latter stages.

Just after the start of IPL 2026, Starc clarified that he is committed to representing Delhi and is in constant communication with the team management over his recovery.

“With that said I do acknowledge this injury setback and timing is disruptive to the Delhi team and I apologise for that and to the fans for not being available for the early part of this season. I remain committed to join DC, and in continual communication updating the team and will continue to do what I can to be available for DC asap,” Starc had stated in an Instagram post.

Last season, the left-arm pacer clinched 14 wickets in 11 matches for DC at an average of 26.14 and an economy of 10.16, including a five-wicket haul in one encounter.

Earlier this year, he gave a fabulous performance for Australia in The Ashes 2025-26. He was the highest wicket-taker with 31 scalps and scored 2 half-centuries across 5 games. He was adjudged Player of the Series and also won Player of the Match awards in two tests.

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