Delhi Capitals revealed that they are still waiting for Cricket Australia to grant a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Mitchell Starc for his IPL stint. Despite the delay, the franchise remains hopeful that the lead pacer will join the squad before their tournament opener on April 1. Last season, Starc impressed with 14 wickets in 11 games.
During a media interaction, Capitals skipper Axar Patel, cricket director Venugopal Rao, and head coach Hemang Badani addressed questions about Starc’s availability. Badani mentioned that they are in constant communication with Cricket Australia and are awaiting the NOC. He emphasized that without Cricket Australia’s approval of Starc’s fitness to play, the franchise’s hands are tied.
Rao assured that Starc will join the team once they receive the NOC from Cricket Australia, indicating that both parties are monitoring his fitness and workload. Axar Patel mentioned the possibility of T. Natarajan stepping in for Starc if he doesn’t make it in time for the first game against Lucknow Super Giants on April 1. However, he emphasized that the decision will depend on team combination rather than simply replacing a left-arm pacer with another.
Natarajan, who played only two games last season due to a shoulder injury, is reportedly fit and ready to contribute. The Capitals remain optimistic about Starc’s inclusion in the squad and are keeping a close eye on the situation. The article was published on March 23, 2026.
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