Hemang Badani hails Mitchell Starc after win against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026

Delhi Capitals head coach Hemang Badani showered praise on Mitchell Starc after they registered a comprehensive five-wicket win against Rajasthan Royals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Sunday. Starc returned with impressive figures of 4-40 in his quota of four overs and played a key role in restricting RR to 193-8 when they were looking all set to post 220-230 runs on the board.

The Australian accounted for RR skipper Riyan Parag and after his dismissal, the visitors’ innings kept sliding as they lost six wickets for 30 runs. Starc also dismissed Ravi Singh, Donovan Ferreira and Dasun Shanaka in his fine spell.

Badani said Starc is a perfect role model for the youngsters and passes his knowledge to young players with all the zest.

“I think he is possibly one of the best role models anyone can have in sport. His work ethic to himself, his preparation before the game, with his own plans and his training, is above par,” said Badani in the presser. 

“I do not even see that with a lot of the younger boys. That is the reason why he has sustained for so long, and if you go back and see the recent Ashes series, he single-handedly won them the Ashes. There was no Pat Cummins, there was no Josh Hazlewood. That pretty much tells you what that man can do,” he added.

“How can you do reverse swing? How do I hold lengths? What do I do when a certain batter is going hard? Do I look to pitch it up? Do I look to try to be submissive and defensive? There is immense conversation that Starcy brings to the table and I think as I said earlier, being slightly repetitive, massive role model,” he continued.

Starc has scalped nine wickets in five matches of IPL 2026 and has done a fine job for DC.

Delhi Capitals will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday.