Mitchell Starc is back, and for Delhi Capitals, the timing couldn’t be more important. After a rough stretch that included three straight losses and a record-low total of 75 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, DC needed something to shift momentum.
Starc’s return brings that hope. But the challenge waiting for him isn’t exactly gentle. Delhi are up against an in-form Rajasthan Royals side, powered by the fearless hitting of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has taken apart some of the best bowlers in the tournament this season.
IPL 2026, RR vs DC: Updates | Scorecard
Speaking at the toss, DC captain Axar Patel confirmed Starc’s return while also hinting at a few tactical changes in the XI.
“Starc is playing, Chameera isn’t playing. Pathum is playing, which means David Miller sits out. Ashok Sharma is there, so there are three changes. We have three changes, the wicket looks good, and we’re happy to chase. It’s important to return to basics. You need to stay in the present to turn things around, focus on the positives. Attitude and body language are very important,” Axar said.
Starc had missed the early part of IPL 2026 due to shoulder and elbow issues picked up during the Big Bash League, and has since been working his way back to full fitness.
MITCHELL STARC VS VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI
This is the contest that stands out.
Sooryavanshi has been one of the stories of the season. With a strike rate well above 200 and over 350 runs already, the teenager has played without hesitation, taking on top bowlers across teams.
He has already handled the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood this season, showing no signs of slowing down.
Now comes Starc.
A left-arm quick with pace, angle and experience, Starc brings a different challenge. For DC, he is more than just a returning player. He is their best shot at breaking the early momentum RR often build.
For Sooryavanshi, it is another test. And so far this season, he hasn’t stepped back from any.
WHY IS DAVID MILLER NOT PLAYING RR VS DC?
One of the bigger surprises from the toss was the absence of David Miller from the DC playing XI.
Axar made it clear that it was a tactical call rather than a form issue. With Starc coming in, DC had to balance their overseas combination, which also included Kyle Jamieson.
That meant Miller had to sit out.
It’s a risk. Miller’s experience in the middle order has been valuable, especially in pressure situations. Without him, more responsibility will fall on the likes of Tristan Stubbs and Sameer Rizvi.
Against an RR bowling attack featuring Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger and Ravi Bishnoi, that middle-order stability could be tested.
RR vs DC: Playing XIs
Delhi Capitals Playing XI: KL Rahul (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel (c), Ashutosh Sharma, Kyle Jamieson, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan
Rajasthan Royals Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubham Dubey, Jofra Archer, Ravi Bishnoi, Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma
Impact Subs
DC: David Miller, Vipraj Nigam, Karun Nair, Abishek Porel, Auqib Nabi Dar
RR: Adam Milne, Dasun Shanaka, Ravi Singh, Yash Raj Punja, Tushar Deshpande
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