Mitchell Starc's Fiery Spell Powers Delhi Capitals to Victory Over Rajasthan Royals
Australian fast bowler claims 3/40 on IPL return after three-month injury layoff, earning 'legend' praise from captain Axar Patel
Quick Look
- Mitchell Starc marked his return to IPL 2026 with a match-winning 3/40 spell, helping Delhi Capitals beat Rajasthan Royals by 7 wickets.
- The Australian pacer dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal in his first over and later removed Ravindra Jadeja and Riyan Parag in the 17th over.
- Captain Axar Patel hailed Starc as a 'legend of the game' after the victory, with KL Rahul anchoring the successful chase of 226 runs.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
This was Mitchell Starc's first match in IPL 2026 after recovering from a three-month injury layoff due to shoulder and elbow problems. Delhi Capitals successfully chased 226 runs, marking their second consecutive successful 225+ chase at Sawai Mansingh Stadium within a week.
Mitchell Starc marked his return to professional cricket with a match-winning spell as Delhi Capitals defeated Rajasthan Royals by 7 wickets in IPL 2026. The Australian fast bowler claimed three wickets in his first game back after almost three months away recovering from shoulder and elbow injuries.
Starc got rid of Yashasvi Jaiswal right in his first over to push Rajasthan Royals on the back foot. Later in the match in the 17th over, the Australian left-armer also dispatched Ravindra Jadeja and Riyan Parag. He eventually finished with figures of 3/40.
Captain Axar Patel heaped praise on the veteran bowler in the post-match conference, calling him a legend of the game. "Obviously. The way he bowled today, that's why he's a legend of the game. After three months away, coming back and delivering a performance like this on a wicket like this - it tells you how big a player he is. Very happy that Starc is back and showing everyone why he's such a great bowler," Axar said.
KL Rahul led a dominant chase as Delhi Capitals defeated Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, successfully hunting down 226 with five balls to spare. Rahul anchored the innings with a composed 75 off 40 balls, while Pathum Nissanka set the tone early with a rapid 62 off 33. The pair's 110-run opening stand put Delhi firmly in control.
Contributions from Nitish Rana (33 off 17) and an unbeaten finishing stand between Ashutosh Sharma and Tristan Stubbs ensured a smooth chase.
Earlier, Riyan Parag starred for Rajasthan with a superb 90 off 50 after they slipped to 12/2. He shared a crucial 102-run partnership with Dhruv Jurel (42), helping Royals post 225/6. However, on a batting-friendly pitch, their total proved insufficient as Delhi completed a second successive successful 225+ chase at the venue within a week.
Open Questions
- How long will Starc's fitness hold up over the tournament?
- Will Rajasthan Royals be able to bounce back from this loss?