Starc took to social media to clear up why he has not yet linked up with the Delhi squad, stating that he is currently in rehab with shoulder and elbow injuries.
The Australia paceman wrote: "Despite the opinions and views of certain individuals with their platforms in and through the Indian media, I'm currently rehabbing and managing an injury in my shoulder and elbow of which I didn't know the extent of during the Australian summer.
"These individuals have made some strong statements around involvement in the IPL and provided heavily misinformed opinions of players, preached them as facts, and claim to know my body better than me.
"With that said I do acknowledge this injury setback and timing is disruptive to the Delhi team and I apologise for that and to the fans for not being available for the early part of this season.
"I remain committed to join DC, are in continual communication updating the team, and will continue to do what I can to be available for DC asap."
In Starc's absence, Delhi's other overseas fast-bowling options are New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson, Proteas seamer Lungi Ngidi and Sri Lanka quick Dushmantha Chameera.
After finishing fifth last season, Delhi begin their 2026 IPL campaign with an away fixture against Lucknow Super Giants on 1 April.
Chennai Super Kings wicketkeeper MS Dhoni will "likely to miss the first two weeks" of this season's Indian Premier League due to a calf injury, the franchise said in a statement.
Shubman Gill insists he does not have anything to prove in this season's Indian Premier League after being dropped from India's squad ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Virat Kohli will be driven to secure back-to-back titles in the Indian Premier League 2026, according to former India international Irfan Pathan.
Just days before the start of the 2026 IPL season, defending champions RCB have undergone a major ownership change, with a consortium led by Aditya Birla and The Times of India completing a takeover.
