Dc captain axar patel

DC Captain Axar Patel: Delhi Capitals head coach Hemang Badani said the franchise is awaiting the arrival of Australia left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc ahead of IPL 2026, saying that they are also waiting for him to get the No-Objection Certificate (NoC) from Cricket Australia.

Starc, 36, is set to miss at least the opening phase of IPL 2026 due to Cricket Australia monitoring his workload ahead of a hectic international season. His absence will mean that DC will have to rejig their bowling plans, considering they have earmarked Starc as their pace bowling spearhead.

Starc was the franchise’s second-highest wicket-taker last season, claiming 14 wickets in 11 matches and DC retained him after securing his services for Rs 11.75 crore at the auction ahead of the 2025 edition of the competition. DC will open their IPL 2026 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on April 1.