Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc is cleared to travel to India and expected to join Delhi Capitals early May.
Mitchell Starc, 36, has not played cricket since late January, ending his last outing as the Ashes’ top wicket-taker with 31 wickets at 19.93 across five Tests.
He bowled 153.1 overs but later featured in five Big Bash League games for the Sydney Sixers, reaching the final where he injured his left shoulder and elbow in a heavy fielding mishap against Perth Scorchers.
After a February break, Starc resumed bowling but felt soreness that delayed his IPL arrival.
A recent week of pain-free bowling in Sydney has now cleared him for travel.
Starc is set to fly to India on Friday, though he will need time to acclimate before India’s May 1 opener in Jaipur.
His bowling workload will be introduced gradually, and barring any setbacks, he is expected to feature for the rest of the IPL season.
Pat Cummins, Australia’s Test and ODI captain, is also nearing his first IPL appearance this season.
He will play for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on Saturday.
Cummins last featured in mid-December during the Ashes and has been sidelined since early July 2025 due to a lower back lumbar stress injury.
The recovery of Starc, Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood eases concerns for Cricket Australia as they face a packed schedule over the next 18 months.
The team is scheduled to play 20 Tests, possibly 21 if they reach the World Test Championship final next June, before the ODI World Cup in October-November 2027.