Axar Patel Praises Mitchell Starc’s Remarkable Return in IPL 2026
Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel has praised Mitchell Starc for his impressive return to professional cricket in IPL 2026. The left-arm pacer delivered a standout performance, taking three crucial wickets as Delhi Capitals chased down a challenging target with ease, securing a seven-wicket victory against Rajasthan Royals.
This was Starc’s first professional game in nearly three months after suffering from shoulder and elbow injuries. Despite the long break, the experienced fast-bowler quickly found his rhythm and made an immediate impact by dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal in the very first over of his spell. He later took the wickets of Ravindra Jadeja and Riyan Parag in the 17th over of Rajasthan Royals’ innings, helping restrict them to 225/6 despite a strong start.
At the post-match presentation ceremony, Axar Patel expressed his admiration for Starc’s performance. When asked about the veteran bowler, Axar said:
“Obviously, the way he bowled today is 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 tells you how big a player he is. Very happy that Starc is back and showing everyone why he’s such a great bowler.”
Delhi Capitals Chase Down Big Target with Ease
Chasing a daunting total of 226 runs, Delhi Capitals received a strong start from KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka. Rahul continued his impressive form in IPL 2026 with a well-compiled 75-run innings off just 40 balls. Nissanka supported him with a blistering 62 off 33 deliveries, and the pair added 110 runs for the opening wicket.
Nitish Rana provided valuable support with a 33 off 17 balls, keeping Delhi on track. Ashutosh Sharma and Tristan Stubbs then completed the chase with five balls to spare, showcasing the team’s batting depth and composure under pressure.
Rajasthan Royals’ Struggles and Resilience
Rajasthan Royals faced a tough start, finding themselves at 12/2 before Riyan Parag stepped up with a remarkable innings of 90 off 50 balls. He formed a vital 102-run partnership with Dhruv Jurel (42) and later added more runs with Shimron Hetmyer, helping the team reach 225/6.
Despite their efforts, Rajasthan Royals were unable to match the brilliance of Delhi Capitals’ batters and the crucial contributions from Starc. This was not the first time a total of 225 or more had been chased at this venue, as it was successfully done in the previous week as well.
A Crucial Win for Delhi Capitals
Starc’s outstanding performance, combined with the strong batting display from Delhi Capitals, ensured they secured a much-needed win over Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026. The victory highlights the team’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure, while also reinforcing Starc’s status as one of the most reliable and impactful bowlers in the tournament.
