Delhi Capitals produced a strong comeback performance to defeat Rajasthan Royals by five wickets in the IPL 2026 on Sunday, with Mitchell Starc playing the biggest role in the turnaround. The Australian fast bowler delivered a match-winning spell of 4/40 and helped Delhi pull control back at a crucial stage of the game.
Rajasthan Royals looked set for a massive total after reaching 160/2 in the 14th over. Their batters were dominating the attack and seemed ready to cross the 220-run mark comfortably. However, Delhi’s bowlers made an impressive recovery in the final overs and restricted Rajasthan to 193/8.
Mitchell Starc dismissed important players including Riyan Parag, Donovan Ferreira, Ravi Singh and Dasun Shanaka. His breakthroughs completely changed the momentum of the match and gave Delhi a realistic target to chase. The Capitals later completed the chase successfully to collect two valuable points and finish their home matches on a positive note.
After receiving the Player of the Match award, Mitchell Starc praised Delhi’s bowling unit for adapting quickly to the conditions after the powerplay overs. He explained that the bowlers stayed calm, adjusted their plans smartly and fought back strongly during the death overs.
The left-arm pacer also spoke about the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, saying teams cannot become too disappointed after bad performances or too overconfident after victories because matches come quickly and momentum changes fast.
Mitchell Starc further mentioned that modern T20 cricket is extremely challenging for bowlers, especially on batting-friendly pitches, and bowlers often need to keep their ego aside while facing aggressive batters. He also appreciated the young talent emerging in the tournament and praised fellow pacer Lungi Ngidi for adjusting well after the powerplay.
Delhi’s bowlers used slower deliveries and reverse swing effectively on a surface that offered very little help, and their smart tactics eventually proved to be the difference in the game.
Really, very well played, Delhi Capitals!
