Starc Clarifies Injury, Rebuts IPL Media Criticism

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has clarified that an ongoing shoulder and elbow injury will prevent him from joining the Delhi Capitals at the start of the Indian Premier League season, while pushing back against what he described as misinformed commentary from some quarters in Indian media.

In a statement posted on Instagram on March 28, 2026, the 36-year-old left-armer explained that he only recently became aware of the full extent of the injury sustained during Australia's summer cricket season. Starc, who has not played competitive matches since the Big Bash League final on January 25, said he is currently in rehabilitation. "Despite the opinions and views of certain individuals with their platforms in and through the Indian media, I'm currently rehabbing and managing an injury in my shoulder and elbow of which I didn't know the extent of during the Australian summer," he wrote. He added that such commentators had made "strong statements around involvement in the IPL and provided heavily misinformed opinions of players, preached them as facts, and claim to know my body better than me."

The remarks came amid speculation about Starc's fitness and dedication to his...