Munaf Patel Praises Nabi Discipline, Cautious on Starc Return

Delhi Capitals bowling coach Munaf Patel praised the discipline of young Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi while expressing cautious optimism about injured teammate Mitchell Starc's delayed arrival, as the team prepares for its third match of the IPL 2026 season against Gujarat Titans at Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Patel highlighted Nabi's seamless transition into the high-pressure environment of his debut IPL campaign. The 23-year-old, who impressed with a standout performance in the recent Ranji Trophy for Jammu and Kashmir, has shown remarkable focus amid the league's distractions. "He's a very disciplined and patient young bowler with a strong work ethic," Patel said during a prematch press conference. "Despite this being his first IPL, he hasn't been distracted by the glamour. He's always eager to bowl extra in the nets; in fact, we sometimes have to stop him." Patel noted the steeper competition in the IPL compared to domestic cricket, where even well-executed deliveries can be punished. He added that Nabi is being groomed as a versatile allrounder and could feature as an impact player if needed, ensuring the youngster remains match-ready despite rotation in the bowling lineup.