Mitchell Starc returns with three wickets as Delhi Capitals beat Rajasthan Royals

Key facts

• Mitchell Starc claimed 3 wickets for 40 runs in his first IPL outing of the season.
• He had not bowled to a batter for three months before the match.
• Starc missed more than half of the IPL campaign due to elbow and shoulder injuries.
• Delhi Capitals chased down 226 with seven wickets and five balls to spare.
• Pathum Nissanka scored 62 off 33 balls and KL Rahul 75 off 40 in a record chase.
• Riyan Parag made 90 off 50 balls for Rajasthan Royals before Starc dismissed him.
• Starc's first ball was hit for six by Yashasvi Jaiswal, but he dismissed Jaiswal two balls later.
• Delhi Capitals had lost five of eight matches before this win.

A comeback marked by relief and immediate impact

Mitchell Starc finally completed a full outing for Delhi Capitals, claiming three wickets and visibly exhaling relief after months of rehabilitation. The 36-year-old Australian pace spearhead had not bowled in a competitive match since January 25, when his Sydney Sixers lost the Big Bash League final. Elbow and shoulder injuries delayed his arrival in the Indian Premier League, forcing him to miss more than half of the campaign. Starc's return came at a critical juncture for Delhi Capitals, who had lost five of their first eight matches and were sliding out of playoff contention. His spell of 3 for 40 from four overs helped restrict Rajasthan Royals to 225 for 6, setting up a record chase that kept DC's season alive.

From a six off the first ball to three wickets

Starc's first ball back was a 142 kph loosener that Yashasvi Jaiswal pulled over deep square leg for six. But the left-armer responded within two deliveries: a 143 kph thigh-high full toss surprised Jaiswal, who spooned a catch back to Starc. The wicket settled the bowler's rhythm, and he troubled the Rajasthan order with pace and discipline. In his second spell, Starc deceived Ravindra Jadeja (20 off 14) with a slower ball, then cramped Riyan Parag for room, ending a superb 50-ball 90 that had threatened to take the game away. Donovan Ferreira later smashed an unbeaten 47 off 14 balls, including 10 off Starc's final two deliveries, but Royals were held to 225.

Starc's own words: 'Nice to get some cobwebs out'

"It's nice to get some cobwebs out, get back to the speed of the game," Starc told broadcasters after the match. "I hadn't bowled to a batter for three months until tonight. So, it's sort of getting back to that speed pretty quickly." He added that he had been bowling in the nets for weeks, working on his elbow position to manage movement. Starc acknowledged the challenge of rediscovering match intensity. "I was playing cricket for a while, so in terms of ticking the boxes with skills, I felt I was in a position to do most of what I wanted. Tonight was a good reminder of a few things that make the game." He said he would benefit from the 20 overs of running in his legs and now enters the portion of the tournament he was targeting.

Laughing off retirement questions and strapping concerns

When asked about the strapping on his arm and other niggles, Starc responded lightly. "There's a couple of things. I think we'd laugh if you had three things strapped on and were thinking about retirement, but I'm not quite there yet," he said. "But no, it is what it is. It's the cricket life and the world's life. We move on." His captain, Axar Patel, was unequivocal about the impact. "The way Starc bowled, I want to say that's why he's a legend — after three months, he's playing and putting in a performance like this," Patel said.

A record chase keeps Delhi Capitals in contention

Delhi Capitals' reply was launched by a century-plus partnership between Pathum Nissanka (62 off 33) and KL Rahul (75 off 40) at 12 runs an over. After that, the chase was cruise control, achieved with seven wickets and five balls to spare. The win moved DC to within four points of Rajasthan Royals, who hold the fourth and final playoff spot. Starc's return gives Delhi a major boost heading into the business end of the season. With five matches remaining, every result is critical. The left-arm quick's ability to strike with the new ball and deliver in the death overs could be the difference between elimination and a playoff berth.

What comes next for Starc and Delhi Capitals

Starc is expected to play a full role in Delhi's remaining matches, with his workload managed around the elbow and shoulder that sidelined him. He brushed off concerns about multiple strappings, indicating they are routine. The team will rely on him to lead the bowling attack in high-pressure games. The IPL playoff race remains tight. Delhi Capitals need to win at least four of their last five matches to secure a top-four finish. Starc's form will be central to that push. For the bowler himself, the outing in Jaipur was a step toward full rhythm. "I think I'll be better for the run in the legs for 20 overs, and then now I get into my portion of the tournament," he said.

The bottom line

• Mitchell Starc returned from elbow and shoulder injuries to take 3-40 in his first IPL match of the season.
• He had not bowled to a batter for three months before the match against Rajasthan Royals.
• Delhi Capitals chased 226 with seven wickets and five balls to spare, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
• Starc laughed off retirement speculation, saying he is 'not quite there yet' despite multiple strapped body parts.
• Captain Axar Patel hailed Starc as a legend after his impactful return.
• Delhi Capitals moved within four points of the fourth playoff spot with five matches remaining.