Delhi Capitals are closely monitoring the situation surrounding their marquee player Mitchell Starc, as uncertainty continues to hover over his availability for the upcoming season of IPL. The left-arm pacer has yet to receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Cricket Australia. However, the franchise remains optimistic that Starc will join the squad in time for their opening fixture scheduled on April 1.
"We are waiting to get the NOC from Cricket Australia. Once we get that, we will know when he will join us," DC head coach Hemang Badani said at the press conference.
"We are in constant touch with CA. He has been bowling; he had bowled a few days back. Unless Cricket Australia signs off on him that he is fit to play, there is little a franchise can do," said the coach when asked if the delay in issuing NOC was due to fitness or workload management.
Cricket director Venugopal Rao also emphasised that it is all about clearance from Cricket Australia.
“He is coming; it is just a question of getting the NOC from Cricket Australia. They are monitoring; we are monitoring.”
For Delhi Capitals, Starc's presence will undoubtedly strengthen their bowling attack. Meanwhile, DC captain Axar Patel expressed positivity.
"It is tough to answer that at this stage. If Starc gets NOC, he can come before the first match also. We are waiting for that update. If he doesn’t come, there is no temptation to replace a left-arm pacer with a left-arm pacer.”