Delhi Capitals will begin their IPL 2026 on April 1 against Lucknow super Giants.
The Delhi Capitals stated during the press conference that they are awaiting a green signal from Cricket Australia. Starc is scheduled to miss the first half of the season as Cricket Australia monitors his workload ahead of a busy 2026-27 schedule.
Ganguly, referring to the broader issue of player availability in franchise cricket, stated that such late withdrawals have a far greater influence on the IPL than on international cricket.
"It hurts because I've always said making an Indian team is easier than making an IPL team. Because the best players are available all the time to be picked. IPL is 10 teams that players get distributed to. And when quality players don't come in at the last minute, obviously, it shakes up the balance of the team,” Ganguly stated while in Delhi for a brand endorsement.
He hit on the depth available in international squads, which is rarely mirrored in franchise setups.
"Because of the substitutes, the availability is not as strong as the one who's not turned up... But in the IPL, if Mitchell Starc misses out or Pathirana misses out, the void is very hard to fill. So that's one of the challenges,” he added.
Ganguly, on the other hand, refrained from condemning workload management in general, admitting the toll modern cricket puts on players across forms and leagues.
"Workload management is very important because players play a lot of cricket. It's not just the IPL... more than physical, the mental part takes over. Away from home, away from families. It's never easy. So, it's a balance that will continue to happen,” Ganguly said.
Delhi Capitals had structured their bowling attack around Starc's pace and new-ball threat, but this forces them to rethink.
Delhi Capitals have lost the services of opener Ben Duckett, who has pulled out of IPL 2026, as he wants to concentrate on England cricket.
(PTI inputs)