Mitchell Starc marked his return to competitive cricket with a standout performance for the Delhi Capitals, claiming three wickets in his first outing of the current Indian Premier League season. After being sidelined for more than three months due to elbow and shoulder injuries, the veteran fast bowler proved his fitness and impact on the game in a high-stakes encounter against the Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
The return did not begin smoothly for the 36-year-old. Bowling the opening over, Starc saw his first delivery, clocked at 142kph, launched for a six over deep square leg by Yashasvi Jaiswal. Starc responded immediately, however, following a dot ball with a 143kph full toss that forced a miscue from the opener, allowing the bowler to complete a caught-and-bowled dismissal.
Crucial breakthroughs in the second spell
Starc’s influence proved most decisive during his second spell. Tasked with breaking key partnerships, he deceived Ravindra Jadeja with a slower delivery, ending the batter’s 20-run cameo. He later produced a vital breakthrough by cramping Riyan Parag, whose innings of 90 off 50 balls was the anchor of the Royals’ total. Despite a late flurry from Donovan Ferreira, who added an unbeaten 47 off 14 balls, the Capitals managed to restrict the Royals to 6-225.
The Delhi chase was clinical. Led by a dominant opening partnership between Pathum Nissanka, who scored 62 off 33 balls, and KL Rahul, who contributed 75 off 40, the Capitals reached their target with seven wickets and five balls to spare. This victory provides a necessary boost to Delhi’s campaign, as they remain in the hunt for a playoff position, trailing the fourth-placed Royals by four points.
Recovery and preparation
Reflecting on his return, Starc admitted to the physical challenges involved in getting back onto the field. His last competitive appearance prior to Friday had been in the BBL final on January 25. “It was nice to get the cobwebs out and get some miles in the legs,” Starc said following the match. He noted that he had not bowled to a batter until three nights prior to the fixture, highlighting the intensity of his immediate return to top-flight cricket.
Capitals captain Axar Patel lauded the veteran’s contribution, emphasizing the value of his experience under pressure. “The way Starc bowled, that is why he is a legend. After three months out, he returned and delivered a performance like that,” Patel remarked after the win. The Capitals will be looking for continued fitness and impact from their primary strike bowler as they aim to climb the table in the final stages of the league season. With five losses in their opening eight games, the win serves as a potential turning point for Delhi’s tournament aspirations as they move forward in the competition.
