Mitchell Starc makes retirement declaration after playing one game for DC in IPL 2026

Mitchell Starc made his comeback for the Delhi Capitals in the ongoing IPL 2026 in style. In his first outing of this edition’s tournament, the 35-year-old Australian star pacer plucked 3 wickets against the Rajasthan Royals on Friday night at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

Despite his impactful appearance, concerns remain as his bowling arm was heavily strapped, which has raised concerns over his fitness status and longevity as a professional cricketer.

Mitchell Starc to consider retirement soon?

After the match, Starc was asked about his possible retirement plans. The premier of the Delhi Capitals reflected that it was not a relishing moment for him while he had to struggle a lot to get back in rhythm. Before returning to competitive games, the seamer spent a few months outside the ground, recovering from injuries and working on fitness.

However, despite enduring months filled with hard grinds, he is happy to get back on the field again. The left-arm quick himself knows that his first appearance of the season was impactful. So, there is no way he will consider retirement anytime soon.

“There are 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. But no, it is what it is. It's the cricket life and the world's life. We move on," Mitchell Starc said after the RR vs DC IPL 2026 match.

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Mitchell Starc got his first IPL 2026 wicket in the very first over vs RR

RR batter Yashasvi Jaiswal welcomed the bowler with a biggie, but Starc replied sharply before dismissing the Rajasthan Royals opener. A high full toss by Mitchell Starc dismissed Jaiswal in the third delivery of the first over of the match. Later, he took the DC seamer and claimed the wickets of Riyan Parag, the RR captain, who scored 90, and the veteran Ravindra Jadeja. Mitchell Starc concluded his 4-over spell with 3 wickets in exchange for 40 runs.

“It's nice to get some cobwebs out and get back to the speed of the game. I think I was good to get some running in the legs, but nice to be back around the guys, get some training in, and then obviously get the win tonight. So, yeah, nice to return. I've been bowling a little bit for a period of weeks, just trying to position my elbow so I can manage the movement," Starc told the broadcasters after the match,” Starc told the broadcaster.

DC pacer looked confident after the match

Starc further told that it was his first match in three months. So he himself was excited for the return. At the end of the day, as he got to tick most of the boxes, he looked more confident than before.

“I hadn't bowled to a batter for three months until tonight. So, it's sort of getting back to that speed pretty quickly. 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. 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 added.

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