Mitchell Starc fires back at critics for 'heavily misinformed opinions', makes injury revelation; issues apology to DC

Mitchell Starc addressed the speculation around his IPL absence, clarifying the injury concerns behind his delayed arrival.

Published on: Mar 28, 2026, 16:29:19 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has hit back at critics over his absence from the early phase of IPL 2026. The left-arm quick is yet to arrive in India and will miss Delhi Capitals’ opening matches, sparking debate around overseas players’ commitment, with Sunil Gavaskar among those voicing concerns. Addressing the speculation, Starc clarified that he is recovering from an elbow injury picked up during the Australian summer. Cricket Australia have already announced that the pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins will miss the early stages of the tournament due to workload management.

Mitchell Starc will miss the initial phase of IPL 2026. (AFP)

Meanwhile, his absence sparked widespread discussion among fans, with many questioning his commitment. Former Australia cricketer Alyssa Healy, his wife, also weighed in, revealing that Starc is recovering from an injury through a comment on her Instagram post after a fan raised concerns over his unavailability.

Breaking his silence on the growing criticism, Starc addressed the speculation around his IPL absence, clarifying the injury concerns behind his delayed arrival.

"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," Starc stated.

Mitchell Starc reveals he is recovering from a shoulder injury. (Instagram/ Mitchell Starc)

Also Read - RCB weakness exposed ahead of IPL 2026 opener as Ashwin drops winner prediction for SRH clash

Hitting out at the criticism surrounding his IPL absence, the Aussie paceman took a strong stance against what he described as misinformed narratives being pushed in the media.

"These individuals have made some 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," he added.

Mitchell Starc remains committed to Delhi Capitals

Starc acknowledged the impact of his absence, offering an apology to DC and fans while reaffirming his commitment to return at the earliest.

"With that said I do acknowledge this injury setback and timing is disruptive to the Delhi team and I apologise for that and to the fans for not being available for the early part of this season. I remain committed to join DC, are in continual communication updating the team and will continue to do what I can to be available for DC asap," he concluded.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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