Why Mitchell Starc not playing in LSG vs DC?

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will take on Delhi Capitals (DC) in Match No. 5 of the Indian Premier League 2026 on Tuesday, April 1 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. LSG endured a disappointing campaign last season and will be eager to bounce back with a stronger showing this year. Meanwhile, DC finished fifth in IPL 2025 and will be aiming for better fortunes this season. Both franchises will be determined to secure a playoff spot and begin their campaign on a winning note.

LSG vs DC: Toss Update

Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel won the toss and opted to bowl first, citing a fresh and solid red-soil wicket that could offer assistance during the powerplay. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant believes the pitch is unlikely to change much over the course of the game, except for the impact of dew later in the evening.

Why Mitchell Starc not in LSG vs DC clash?

Delhi Capitals will be without Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who is unavailable as part of workload management. In his absence, the franchise has included Lungi Ngidi as their overseas pace option. Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants have fielded their overseas core from the previous edition, featuring Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, and Nicholas Pooran.

LSG vs DC: What did the captains say?

Rishabh Pant, LSG Captain

It doesn't matter on a wicket like this, it won't change a lot as I don't think dew will come. It's completely new - we've changed our colour and logo. No negative thoughts, we're feeling good and raring to go. Last season there were injury concerns, but as a captain you can't dwell on them too much. Everyone is fit this time around. Markram,. Marsh, Nicholas Pooran and Anrich Nortje are our four overseas players.

Axar Patel, DC Captain

We will bowl first. First match, fresh wicket, it's a red solid wicket and might help in the first 6 overs. Data says a lot of matches are won by the team batting first, but we thought it's the first game and we will bowl. We started well last time, but we slipped in the middle, we're not thinking too far ahead. Nissanka, Miller, Stubbs and Lungi Ngidi, our four overseas players.

LSG VS DC: Playing 11s

Lucknow Super Giants

Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (c and wk), Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, Mohsin Khan, Mohammed Shami, Prince Yadav, Anrich Nortje

Impact Players: Digvesh Singh Rathi, Avesh Khan, Himmat Singh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Akshat Raghuwanshi

Delhi Capitals

Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Rana, Axar Patel (c), David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Vipraj Nigam, Lungi Ngidi, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav

Impact Players: Sameer Rizvi, Karun Nair, Ashutosh Sharma, Dushmantha Chameera, Auqib Nabi