Delhi Capitals Await Mitchell Starc Clearance as Munaf Patel Urges Quick Return
Despite a flawless start to their Indian Premier League campaign with two consecutive victories, the Delhi Capitals are closely monitoring the fitness of their marquee fast bowler, Mitchell Starc. Bowling coach Munaf Patel confirmed the franchise is still waiting on medical clearance and a formal No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Cricket Australia regarding Starc’s shoulder injury.
Starc’s Absence and Daily Updates
Speaking ahead of the Delhi Capitals’ upcoming fixture against the Gujarat Titans, Patel detailed the ongoing communication gap regarding the Australian pacer’s arrival timeline. Starc, known for his lethal yorkers and high-pace swing, remains a core component of the Capitals’ bowling strategy for the season.
“I ask people around everyday about the timing of his arrival and by when he is coming and what the details are because he is important for us as a main bowler,” Patel stated during the pre-match press conference on Tuesday. “Till now there is no update on when he will come because the update will come from the Australian board, his physio, or trainer.”
Current Status of Mitchell Starc
- Injury: Recovering from a recent shoulder injury.
- Clearance: Pending NOC from Cricket Australia medical staff.
- Team Impact: Sidelined for the first two matches of the season.
Praise for the Australian Quick
While Patel lightly joked that Starc’s absence “has not been felt” yet due to the team’s early success, he quickly emphasized the bowler’s elite status. Starc’s ability to consistently clock speeds north of 140 kmph with the new ball makes him nearly irreplaceable.
“There is no bigger bowler in the IPL than Starc,” Patel said. “Jasprit Bumrah is the only one I can think of. He has so much experience, he swings at 140kmph plus with the new ball. I follow up with the team every day. Cricket Australia will update us. We need him as our main bowler.”
Managing the Pace Battery and Workload
In Starc’s absence, Patel has taken charge of a diverse pace attack featuring established internationals and rising domestic talent. The coach expressed satisfaction working with the current seamers, including Lungi Ngidi, T Natarajan, and Jammu and Kashmir’s Aqib Nabi.
| Delhi Capitals Pace Attack | Role | Pace Range |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc | Left-arm fast | 140-145+ kmph |
| T Natarajan | Left-arm medium-fast | 130-135 kmph |
| Lungi Ngidi | Right-arm fast | 135-140+ kmph |
| Aqib Nabi | Right-arm medium-fast | 130-135 kmph |
Addressing the broader issue of fast bowler injuries, particularly those capable of exceeding 150 kmph, Patel offered a straightforward assessment rooted in his own playing days. He suggested that limited game time directly contributes to the high injury rates among express pacers.
“The guys who bowl at 150 are not playing. If they don’t play they will stay injured,” Patel explained. “We have come from a system that the more you bowl, the more rhythm you have. When you are injured and not in rhythm, you will automatically get injured.”
For official match schedules and team standings, fans can track live updates via the official IPL website and ESPN Cricinfo.