Delhi Capitals' (DC) most expensive overseas signing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction was Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc. While Starc has been expensive, he has been DC's strike bowler and an X-factor who won them the Super Over against Rajasthan Royals (RR). But after their match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Dharamsala was cancelled midway and IPL 2025 was suspended for a week, Starc chose not to return. While Pat Cummins and other World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final-bound players are available till playoffs, Starc chose to miss the crucial clashes. Ahead of the must-win match against Mumbai Indians (MI), DC bowling coach Munaf Patel admits that Starc's absence is huge but wants to focus on the resources available.
“It matters a lot because we are missing a fast bowler who can bowl at 145 km/h, swing the ball that too on the surface of Wankhede, where you get good bounce and swing, it obviously makes a huge difference. But when you don't have an option, you have to go with the resources you have. You can’t sit and worry about what’s not available. Whatever you have, you need to make the most of it and make the guy perform,” Munaf said in the pre-match press conference.
DC's overseas replacement
In the absence of Starc, DC roped in Bangladesh's left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman for Rs 6 crore. Mustafizur left the T20I series against UAE midway to be a part of DC camp. After the first T20I of the series against UAE on May 17, he played for DC against Gujarat Titans (GT) where he was most economical bowler for the hosts. He conceded 24 runs from three overs he bowled.
However, Rahman does not have a good record at Wankhede Stadium in his IPL career. From 15 games, he has 12 wickets at an average of 44.91 and economy rate of 9.34 runs per over.
Expectations from Natarajan
Meanwhile, DC trusted Natarajan towards the ending stages of IPL. They gave their Rs 10.75 crore recruit a chance against PBKS. He picked up one wicket before the game was cancelled. Against GT, he was taken to the cleaners by Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill. From three overs, he conceded 49 runs. It will be interesting to see if DC decide to replace him with either Mohit Sharma and Mukesh Kumar. If given a slightly long rope, his role becomes crucial in the must-win clash.
The weather forecast for the must-win match does not look promising. There is a yellow alert in Mumbai. However, the IPL's new rule to add 60 extra minutes may allow for a rain-curtailed match.