DC Awaits Starc's Return as CSK Ends Home Losing Streak

A largely toothless display by DC condemned them to their second successive loss of the ongoing season by 24 runs, with a century by Sanju Samson and a four-wicket haul by pacer Jamie Overton being top performances for CSK. Without Starc's big-match pedigree and experience, DC's bowling attack feels like it's missing a piece of the puzzle.

The Australian fast bowler is yet to join the Delhi Capitals squad. On March 28, Starc revealed in an Instagram story that he is recovering from shoulder and elbow injuries, which he only fully understood after the Australian summer. He also apologised to the Delhi Capitals and fans for missing the early part of the season but expressed his commitment to joining the team as soon as he is fit.

Speaking during the post-match presser, Venugopal said, as quoted by a press release about Starc's availability, "I think in a week we will let you know".

In his previous season with DC last year, Starc took 14 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 26.14 and an economy rate of 10.16, with a five-wicket haul to his name. In his IPL career, having represented Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) previously, Starc has 65 wickets in 52 matches at an average of 23.12, with two four-fers and a five-for. The veteran bowler, who retired from T20Is last year, was a vital cog of KKR's trophy-winning 2024 unit, with 17 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 26.11, with a four-fer to his name.

Speaking about his team's fielding performance, Venugopal admitted that his side needs to improve.

" I think fielding was one area that we need to improve a lot. If we fielded well, we could have saved 15-20 runs, and it would have helped us a lot," he said.

Finally, speaking on Samson's century, he termed the T20 World Cup 2026 'Player of the Tournament' as a "class player".

"He is a class player, boss. You need to accept it. For him coming to a new franchise, obviously a big run is always important. I think this hundred might help him for the next few games," he signed off.

Finally, CSK has gotten their first win of the season, breaking their six-match losing streak at home. Put to bat first by DC, Samson (115* in 56 balls, with 15 fours and four sixes) and Ayush Mhatre (59 in 36 balls, with three fours and four sixes) took CSK to 212/2 in 20 overs. In chase, Pathum Nissanka (41 in 24 balls, with five fours and two sixes) put on a 62-run stand with KL Rahul, and Tristan Stubbs scored a valiant 30-ball 60, but that was it from DC as a batting team, as Overton (4/18) and Anshul Kamboj (3/35) took wickets regularly.

- ANI