Mitchell Starc cleared to travel to India, hopeful of playing for DC in early May - ESPN Mitchell Starc, the Australian fast bowler, has been medically cleared to travel to India for the IPL 2026 after overcoming shoulder and elbow injuries. The 36-year-old is now hopeful of being available for Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of their match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on May 1. Starc, who has not played any cricket since late January, faced a prolonged recovery period following a heavy fall on his left shoulder and elbow while diving for a catch during a BBL match for Sydney Sixers in late January. Starc’s injury history dates back to the Ashes series, where he was the Player of the Series, taking 31 wickets at an average of 19.93 across five Tests. His workload during the Ashes, which included bowling 153.1 overs, contributed to lingering soreness when he returned to training in February. This delayed his arrival in India, leading to initial confusion about his absence from the IPL’s opening stages. Starc addressed the situation on social media, clarifying his injury status and expressing frustration over "heavily misinformed opinions" about his unavailability. Recent reports indicate Starc has had a pain-free week of bowling in Sydney, with plans to fly to India on Friday. However, he will require a period of acclimatisation and a gradual increase in bowling intensity before being considered fit for the May 1 contest in Jaipur. Cricket Australia officials have expressed optimism that he will be available for the remainder of the IPL season, provided there are no setbacks. The news coincides with the potential return of Australia’s Test and ODI captain, Pat Cummins, to the IPL.#ipl_2026 #rajasthan_royals #delhi_capitals #mitchell_starc #cricket_australia
Aaron Finch Backs Cameron Green Amid IPL Struggles Former Australian cricketer Aaron Finch has publicly endorsed all-rounder Cameron Green, who is currently facing difficulties in his performance during the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite Green’s recent struggles at the crease, Finch has emphasized the need for continued support, suggesting that Green should remain in a higher batting position in the order. Green, who was acquired by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a record fee of Rs 25.20 crores, has struggled to replicate his previous form, scoring just four runs off two balls in a recent match against the Punjab Kings (PBKS), which was declared a no-contest. Cricket Australia has confirmed that Green is dealing with a lower-back injury, which has limited his ability to bowl for KKR. To date, he has managed only 24 runs across three innings, with a highest score of 18. However, reports indicate that Green is actively working on his bowling in the nets and is expected to return to that aspect of his game soon. During a discussion on ESPNCricinfo’s “Timeout” segment, Finch provided insights into Green’s current performance, noting, “One of his dismissals was a run-out, which wasn’t entirely his fault. Nevertheless, he has missed opportunities twice. There seems to be a bit of panic; he doesn’t appear to be the same player as before. Recall how he played at the top of the order for MI—his intent was completely different.” Finch further remarked, “He was commanding at the crease. Currently, he seems tentative. Instead of pushing him down the order, consider promoting him or giving him a break.” These comments highlight Finch’s belief that Green’s recent struggles may stem from a lack of confidence or tactical adjustments rather than a fundamental decline in his abilities.#kolkata_knight_riders #indian_premier_league #cricket_australia #aaron_finch #cameron_green
IPL 2026: KKR's Struggles Intensify as Cameron Green's Return Looms Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) continue to face mounting challenges in the IPL 2026 season, with their recent losing streak intensifying concerns over their performance. The team’s struggles have been compounded by the underwhelming contributions of high-profile signings, particularly Cameron Green, who was acquired for a staggering 25 crores. Despite his expensive price tag, Green has yet to deliver on the field, both as a batter and a bowler, leaving fans and analysts questioning his value to the squad. Green, an Australian all-rounder, has been sidelined due to a lower back injury, which has prevented him from bowling in KKR’s first two matches. Instead, he has been deployed solely as a batter, but his performance has been lackluster. In three games, he has managed only 24 runs at an average of 8, failing to make an impact. His struggles were highlighted during a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he was run out without scoring, a moment that drew criticism from fans and commentators. Cricket Australia confirmed his injury, stating that he is gradually rebuilding his bowling workload and is expected to return in 10-12 days. The team’s woes extend beyond Green. KKR is also dealing with the absence of key players due to injuries. Varun Chakravarthy, a crucial all-rounder, is sidelined after suffering an injury to his finger, while Matheesha Pathirana remains in recovery. These setbacks have left KKR’s bowling attack in disarray, with limited options available. However, there is hope for a reprieve as Sunil Narine, a reliable left-arm spinner, is expected to return to the squad, potentially providing stability to the bowling department. The upcoming match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) could be pivotal for KKR.#kolkata_knight_riders #sunrisers_hyderabad #cricket_australia #sunil_narine #cameron_green
IPL 2026: Pat Cummins Returns Home but Sunrisers Upbeat Sunrisers Hyderabad entered their first home match of the IPL 2026 season with renewed optimism after securing a commanding 65-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their previous encounter. The victory marked a significant turnaround for the 2016 champions, who had started their campaign with a loss to defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Despite a sluggish bowling performance in their season opener, SRH showcased resilience and tactical discipline to dismantle KKR, posting a team total of 226/8—the highest score of the tournament so far. This performance provided a much-needed boost to their confidence ahead of their home fixture against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Sunday. The match against KKR was particularly notable for the absence of Pat Cummins, the team’s star all-rounder, who had returned to Australia for a final scan on a back injury. Cummins, who has been sidelined since July 2025, is expected to rejoin the squad on April 17, contingent on medical clearance from Cricket Australia (CA). During his absence, SRH relied heavily on their bowling unit, which delivered a disciplined performance despite the lack of Cummins’ presence. Coach Daniel Vettori expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt to the circumstances, emphasizing that Cummins’ return would be a crucial addition to their depth. Vettori highlighted the importance of Cummins’ return, stating that the skipper’s scan on April 15 was part of his rehabilitation process. “He’s trained with us and looked really good,” Vettori said, adding that the team would take a cautious approach to reintegrate Cummins into the squad.#kolkata_knight_riders #sunrisers_hyderabad #royal_challengers_bangalore #pat_cummins #cricket_australia
Pat Cummins Returns to Australia for Back Injury Scan Ahead of IPL 2026 Pat Cummins, the skipper of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, has left the team’s training camp in India and returned to Australia to undergo a scheduled medical scan for his lingering back injury. According to ESPNcricinfo, the scan is part of a planned procedure under the supervision of Cricket Australia (CA), which aims to assess the progress of his recovery. Cummins departed India following SRH’s match against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 4, 2026, and is expected to rejoin the squad on April 17, contingent on receiving clearance from CA. The fast bowler, who has been largely inactive since July 2025—apart from a single Ashes Test appearance in Adelaide—confirmed that he has resumed bowling in the nets as part of a structured rehabilitation plan. Speaking on the Business of Sport podcast, Cummins stated, “I’m still recovering from a back injury, but it’s good. I’m back bowling in the nets.” Despite his absence, he remains optimistic about making a timely return to the IPL, acknowledging that he will miss the early stages of the tournament. “The IPL is starting soon. I won’t make the start of that, but it shouldn’t be too long before I’m back out there playing,” he added. In Cummins’ absence, SRH’s wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been named as the team’s interim captain for the 2026 season. The team’s campaign began with a challenging outing, as they suffered a six-wicket defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their opening match. However, SRH bounced back strongly in their second game, defeating Kolkata Knight Riders by 65 runs at Eden Gardens. The team is set to face Lucknow Super Giants in their third match of the tournament on April 5 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.#ishan_kishan #ipl_2026 #sunrisers_hyderabad #pat_cummins #cricket_australia
IPL 2026 - SRH News: Pat Cummins Returns Home for Final Back Scan Pat Cummins, the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain, has departed the team's camp ahead of the IPL 2026 tournament to undergo a final medical scan on his injured back. The 34-year-old fast bowler, who has been sidelined since July 2025, left the squad after SRH's last match against Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata on Thursday. The scan, which will be conducted under the supervision of Cricket Australia (CA), is part of a planned recovery process. Cummins is expected to rejoin the team on April 17 if cleared by medical experts. Cummins' absence from competitive cricket began in July 2025 when he sustained a back injury, which initially prevented him from participating in the T20 World Cup. Despite a "minor setback" in his recovery, he resumed bowling in training sessions shortly after joining SRH ahead of the IPL 2026 season. The team's first game of the tournament was against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 28, and Cummins has been involved in training since then. However, he confirmed prior to the IPL that he would not be available for the early stages of the competition, stating, "if nothing goes wrong, [I'll] play the back half [of the IPL] plus the finals [if SRH get there]." The scan is a scheduled step in his rehabilitation, with Cummins having already returned to bowling in nets. During a recent interview with the Business of Sports podcast, he expressed optimism about his recovery, saying, "I'm still recovering from a back injury, but it's good. I'm back bowling in the nets. The IPL is starting soon. I won't make the start of that, but it shouldn't be too long before I'm back out there playing." He added, "I'm back bowling. I'm bowling basically every third day at the moment.#ishan_kishan #ipl_2026 #sunrisers_hyderabad #pat_cummins #cricket_australia
Chaos in the Shield Final: Controversial Injury Sub Rule Sparks Outrage The Sheffield Shield final erupted into controversy on day three as Victoria’s use of Cricket Australia’s injury substitute rule left South Australia frustrated and ignited a heated debate over fairness in the sport’s flagship event. Victoria replaced injured bowler Sam Elliott with fast bowler Mitchell Perry, who immediately made an impact by dismissing SA captain Nathan McSweeney with his first delivery, shifting the momentum decisively in Victoria’s favor. The incident unfolded during South Australia’s second innings at the Junction Oval. Elliott, who had struggled with hamstring tightness throughout the day, broke down during warm-ups before the innings began. Despite managing to bat and score 13 runs earlier in the match, the Victorian quick was unable to bowl after just one delivery. The situation quickly descended into chaos as Victoria scrambled to find fielders. Assistant coach Ben Rohrer initially took the field before being sent off by umpires, followed by wicketkeeper Jai Lemire and eventually fast bowler Xavier Crone, who had been working in the commentary box for Cricket Australia. Perry’s immediate impact was dramatic. He trapped McSweeney lbw with an inswinger, leaving South Australia reeling at 35 for 3. The dismissal proved pivotal, as the hosts eventually collapsed to 94 for 5 at stumps, holding a precarious 31-run lead. The controversial substitution sparked immediate backlash from South Australia’s camp. Coach Ryan Harris criticized the rule, calling it “a s* rule unless you make the most of it.” He acknowledged the rule had been in place all season but questioned its application in a final, where the stakes are highest.#ryan_harris #cricket_australia #sheffield_shield_final #nathan_mcswenney #mitchell_perry
Mitchell Starc Resumes Bowling, Axar Patel Awaits Clearance for IPL 2026 Mitchell Starc, the Australian fast bowler, has begun bowling sessions as he works toward full match fitness ahead of the IPL 2026, according to Delhi Capitals head coach Hemang Badani. Starc, who will miss the early stages of the tournament, is under scrutiny by Cricket Australia, which is monitoring the workload of key fast bowlers like Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. Badani emphasized that the franchise’s ability to plan Starc’s return depends on Cricket Australia’s No Objection Certificate confirming his availability. “Until that clearance is received, we can’t finalize his inclusion in the squad,” Badani said. “Once it’s confirmed, we’ll determine his timeline and how to integrate him into the team strategy.” Delhi Capitals’ other overseas fast-bowling options include Kyle Jamieson, Lungi Ngidi, and Dushmantha Chameera. The team faces challenges in replacing Starc, who took 14 wickets in 11 games last season. Captain Axar Patel acknowledged the uncertainty but stressed the importance of balancing the squad based on match conditions and opposition. “If Starc isn’t available initially, we’ll adjust the team composition accordingly,” Patel said. “Whether we go with another left-arm option or tweak the lineup, decisions will depend on the situation. His availability isn’t ruled out if the clearance comes through.” The Capitals’ first IPL 2026 match is scheduled for April 1 against Lucknow Super Giants, giving them hope Starc could join the squad in time. Starc, retained for INR 11.75 crore by DC ahead of the 2026 auction, was Australia’s leading bowler during the Ashes series, playing all five Tests and winning the Player-of-the-Series award. His last appearance was with the Sydney Sixers in the BBL in January.#ipl_2026 #delhi_capitals #mitchell_starc #cricket_australia #hemang_badani
RCB Quick Yash Dayal to Sit Out IPL 2026 Yash Dayal, the fast bowler contracted to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), will not be part of the team’s squad for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Mo Bobat, RCB’s director of cricket, confirmed during a press conference on Tuesday that Dayal remains with the franchise but will be unavailable for the entire season. Bobat cited personal circumstances as the reason for Dayal’s absence, stating that it is not in the best interest of either the player or the franchise for him to join the squad. He did not provide further details about the situation. Dayal has not participated in any matches since the IPL 2025 final in June. His unavailability is linked to ongoing legal proceedings related to sexual assault allegations. Bobat acknowledged the complexity of the situation, noting that RCB had anticipated a worst-case scenario during their auction planning. “The Yash Dayal situation was tricky,” Bobat said, emphasizing the team’s preparedness for such an outcome. The absence of Dayal exacerbates a fast-bowling shortage at RCB. The team also faces the loss of Australian quick Josh Hazlewood, who is expected to miss the early part of the season as he recovers from long-term injury issues. Bobat mentioned that RCB is in communication with Cricket Australia (CA) and hopes to have Hazlewood back “very soon.” Without Dayal and Hazlewood, RCB’s fast-bowling options include experienced India spinner Bhuvneshwar Kumar, uncapped Indian pace bowlers Rasikh Salam, Abhinandan Singh, and Mangesh Yadav, as well as overseas quicks Jacob Duffy and Nuwan Thushara. The West Indies allrounder Romario Shepherd is also part of the squad. The team’s reliance on these players highlights the challenges they face in addressing their bowling depth for the upcoming season.#ipl_2026 #royal_challengers_bengaluru #cricket_australia #yash_dayal #mo_bobat
Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood to Miss Early IPL 2026 Matches Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are expected to miss the opening matches of the IPL 2026 tournament as Cricket Australia (CA) continues to monitor the workload of its top fast bowlers ahead of a demanding cricket calendar. The decision means Starc, who plays for Delhi Capitals, and Hazlewood, representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru, will join a growing list of Australian cricketers unavailable for part or all of the IPL season. This follows the earlier exclusion of Pat Cummins from Sunrisers Hyderabad’s initial fixtures, as well as the full absence of Nathan Ellis (Chennai Super Kings) and Jack Edwards (Sunrisers Hyderabad) on Friday. Cummins, who played only one Test during the Australian summer due to a stress injury in his back, has been sidelined since July 2025. His sole representative appearance came in the third Ashes Test in December, marking his first game since the West Indies series in July 2025. Hazlewood, meanwhile, missed the entire Ashes series due to hamstring and Achilles injuries. While he participated in some white-ball matches against South Africa, India, and New Zealand in 2025, as well as a Sheffield Shield game in November, he has remained largely absent from competitive cricket over the past several months. Starc, Australia’s leading bowler in the Ashes series, played all five Tests and was awarded Player-of-the-Series for his 31 wickets, which helped secure Australia’s 4-1 victory. He also featured in the Big Bash League (BBL) toward the end of the season. However, Starc’s absence from the T20 World Cup in February-March 2026 is notable, as he had retired from T20 internationals.#royal_challengers_bengaluru #delhi_capitals #mitchell_starc #josh_hazlewood #cricket_australia
IPL 2026 Set to Face Early Player Absences Amid Injury Concerns The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is approaching, but several high-profile players are already facing potential absences due to injury setbacks. Australia’s fast bowler Nathan Ellis is expected to miss the tournament after aggravating a pre-existing hamstring injury during the domestic One-Day Cup final on March 11. His exclusion comes as a blow to his team’s bowling attack, particularly given the competitive nature of the IPL. England allrounder Sam Curran is also set to sit out the entire season with Rajasthan Royals, his new franchise. Curran, who last played on March 5 in the 2026 T20 World Cup, is dealing with a suspected groin issue. His absence will be a significant loss for the Royals, especially as they aim to build momentum in the tournament. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, two of Australia’s premier fast bowlers, are unlikely to feature in the early stages of IPL 2026. Cricket Australia (CA) is closely monitoring their workloads, balancing their participation in the IPL with upcoming international commitments. The busy cricket calendar, including the T20 World Cup and Test series, has prompted officials to prioritize player health and avoid overexertion. Another notable absence is Australia allrounder Jack Edwards, who has been ruled out of IPL 2026 after sustaining a foot injury. Edwards, who was acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the auction, will need time to recover, leaving his team to adjust their strategies without his contributions. New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson is also expected to miss the initial stages of the tournament. Ferguson, who joined Punjab Kings (PBKS) for IPL 2026, has opted to focus on family time following the birth of his child.#ipl_2026 #rajasthan_royals #nathan_ellis #cricket_australia #sam_curran
Ashleigh Gardner Aims to End Australia's Trophy Drought with Fearless Approach Australia's vice-captain Ashleigh Gardner is preparing to lead her team into the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 with a renewed focus on fearless cricket, as the squad faces the West Indies in a crucial white-ball series ahead of the tournament. The all-rounder, set to become the seventh Australian woman to play 100 T20 Internationals, is determined to rediscover her best form during the matches in St Vincent, a milestone that coincides with a pivotal moment in the women's game. With the World Cup just weeks away, Australia seeks to end a streak of semi-final exits in major ICC events, having lost to hosts India in the 2025 Women’s World Cup and South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Gardner reflected on her evolution as a player, acknowledging that her fearless attitude from her early career has matured into a more calculated approach. Speaking to Cricket Australia ahead of her landmark match, she described her mindset as a blend of confidence and caution. "I was someone that had no fear, and I guess as I've gotten older and more mature, I've gained more fear in the way that I approach life and just cricket in general," she said. "It's trying to harness a little bit of that, not stepping over the line to just being completely reckless, but for me, the brand of cricket that I play, I try and take the game on. That's when I'm playing my best cricket." The 28-year-old highlighted the challenges of transitioning her dominant ODI form—where she scored three centuries and three fifties at an average of 45.94 since 2024—into the shorter format. Her role in the middle-order has been inconsistent, with her average of 25.11 in T20Is for Australia reflecting the difficulties of adapting to the format.#west_indies #ashleigh_gardner #icc_women_s_t20_world_cup_2026 #cricket_australia #tahlia_mcgrath
