Sourav Ganguly, Director of Cricket at Delhi Capitals, wasn’t happy about the uncertainty around Mitchell Starc’s availability for the start of the IPL 2026, which kicks off March 28. With Starc possibly missing the initial phase, Ganguly said it leaves the team scrambling.

“It’s tough, you know? When top players drop out at the last moment, it messes up the team’s balance,” Ganguly explained during a brand promo. He even admitted that building an IPL team is trickier than picking the Indian squad. “Honestly, making an Indian team is easier. You always get the best players, but in the IPL you’ve got ten teams fighting for the same talent. Players get split up, and if someone like Starc isn’t available last minute, it really throws things off.”

He didn’t sugarcoat how substitutes usually don’t match the impact of first-choice players. “Substitutes just aren’t as good as the ones you lose. If Starc or Pathirana miss out, you feel that gap. Filling it isn’t easy — that’s just part of the challenge.”

Delhi Capitals’ captain Axar Patel and cricket director Venugopal Rao weighed in too. Rao confirmed Starc would join the squad, but timing depends on getting the NOC from Cricket Australia. “He’s coming, just waiting on the NOC. Everyone’s keeping an eye on his fitness and workload,” Rao said.

With Rao and Badani beside him, Axar was asked whether he’d consider using T Natarajan as Starc’s backup if Starc can’t make it for the opener against LSG in Lucknow on April 1. Axar was pretty candid: “Hard to say right now. If Starc gets the NOC, he might make it before the first match. We’re waiting for news. And honestly, it’s not just about having a left-arm pacer for another left-arm pacer. It’s about what works best for the team. Natarajan’s been solid and he’s definitely fit — that’s good news for us.”