Starc Still Waiting on CA's Nod — DC Sweat Over Their Biggest Pace Weapon Before IPL Opener

Delhi Capitals are heading into IPL 2026 with a big question mark next to their most important bowler. Mitchell Starc, who led DC’s pace attack in IPL 2025 and is expected to do the same this season, has not yet received a No Objection Certificate from Cricket Australia — and with their opener against Lucknow Super Giants on April 1 just days away, the franchise is waiting and watching.

Waiting on Cricket Australia

Head coach Hemang Badani addressed Starc’s situation clearly at a pre-season press conference.

“We are waiting to get the NOC from Cricket Australia. Once we get that, we will know when he will join us.”

“We are in constant touch with CA. He has been bowling, he had 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.”

Cricket Director Venugopal Rao echoed the same confidence.

“He is coming, it is just a question of getting the NOC from Cricket Australia. They are monitoring, we are monitoring.”

The delay is being attributed to workload management, with Cricket Australia keeping a close eye on Starc’s schedule ahead of a packed international calendar. Starc is reportedly fit and has been bowling in the nets, but CA will not grant clearance until they are satisfied from a workload standpoint.

Axar Keeps the Door Open for Starc’s Return

Captain Axar Patel, when asked whether DC would go with T Natarajan in Starc’s absence for the LSG opener, gave a careful answer that showed DC are not yet ready to write Starc off for the first match.

“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 doesn’t come, there is no temptation to replace a left-arm pacer with a left-arm pacer — it is about team combination. Having said that, Natarajan is doing really well and is 100 percent fit.”

The response tells a clear story — DC want Starc, they are not planning around his absence just yet, but Natarajan is ready if needed.

Why Natarajan’s Fitness Matters So Much

T Natarajan was bought by DC for a hefty ₹10.75 crore, but played just two matches in IPL 2025 due to a shoulder injury that kept him out for most of the season. Now fully fit heading into IPL 2026, Natarajan is a proven T20 bowler — especially in the death overs — and would be a capable, if different, option to fill in if Starc misses early games.

What Starc Did Last Season

Starc justified his presence in the DC attack last season in full. He took 14 wickets in 11 matches in IPL 2025 and was their go-to bowler in the powerplay and in the final overs. Losing him even for the first few games will change how DC set up their bowling plans significantly.

DC’s Early IPL 2026 Schedule

If CA does not clear Starc before April 1, DC could be without their main pace weapon for at least the first two or three fixtures before he joins the squad. The franchise is staying calm publicly, but the situation is clearly one they did not want going into the season.