Starc cleared by CA to play IPL, likely to be available for DC's game on May 1
Sydney (PTI): Mitchell Starc has been cleared by Cricket Australia to feature in the Indian Premier League with the pacer expected to be available for Delhi Capitals' match against Rajasthan Royals on May 1.
The left-arm quick has been sidelined since January due to elbow and shoulder niggles. He played a key role across all five Ashes Tests, earning the Player of the Series honour, before featuring in five Big Bash League games for Sydney Sixers later that month.
"Starc is expected to build up his workloads on the ground in India and is on track to make his debut for the 2026 season in Delhi's May 1 match against Rajasthan Royals," Cricket.com.au reported.
The 36-year-old's absence from the early phase of the IPL had sparked debate over the commitment of overseas players, prompting Starc to address the issue on social media and clarify what he termed "heavily misinformed opinions".
"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," Starc had posted on Instagram.
"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," the post read.
Starc was Delhi Capitals' leading pace bowler last season, claiming 14 wickets in 11 matches.
DC currently sit fifth in the points table with three wins and as many losses from six games.
Meanwhile, Australia captain Pat Cummins is also set to make his first appearance of the season for Sunrisers Hyderabad, while Josh Hazlewood has already resumed playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru after missing the initial matches.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh holds talks with German counterpart to boost ties
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius in Berlin on Wednesday to bolster strategic partnership, and the two sides inked an agreement for a defence industrial cooperation roadmap, officials said.
In his remarks, Singh said that the menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations must be condemned, unequivocally, without exception or justification, his comments coming on a day that marked the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack.
He also underlined that in times of global uncertainties, India and Germany have provided much-needed stability and strength to the global economy.
Singh held bilateral talks with Germany's Federal Minister of Defence in Berlin to further bolster the strategic defence partnership with the European nation, the defence ministry said in a statement.
"The two ministers discussed a range of bilateral security and defence issues, including priority areas for co-development and co-production of defence equipment, especially in the field of niche technologies. They also reaffirmed the commitment to enhance military-to-military cooperation as a key pillar of the strategic partnership," it said.
Also, the 'Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap' and 'Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Training' were inked and exchanged during the meeting, it said.
He termed his visit to Germany as a symbol of deep friendship, synergy and trust.
In a post on X, Singh said, "Visited TKMS submarine building facility in Kiel, accompanied by the German Defence Minister-Mr. Boris Pistorius. An insightful visit showcasing cutting-edge technologies and advanced naval capabilities, which will be mutually beneficial for cooperation in maritime domain."
The partnership has witnessed "considerable momentum" in defence cooperation over the last few years, especially after Pistorius assumed the office of the defence minister of Germany, the statement said.
Singh brought out that the recent India-EU Security & Defence Partnership marks a significant step in deepening the collective engagement.
Both ministers agreed to leverage this framework, both bilaterally and in the wider European context for tangible outcomes that will strengthen regional stability, enhance joint capabilities and reinforce the enduring Indo-German strategic alignment.
The German defence minister appreciated the institutionalisation of service level staff talks and future bilateral military exercises.
Singh said India is looking forward to the German Air Force's participation in the next edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti which will be held in India in September-October this year.
Earlier, he placed a wreath at Bundeswehr Memorial as a mark of respect. It is the central memorial for the Bundeswehr's personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
India and Germany have completed 25 years of strategic partnership and are commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.
"On the bilateral front, the relationship today is truly multi-faceted. Apart from defence, it covers a wide range of areas which include trade and investment, technology and innovation, development cooperation, green energy, higher education, sustainable solutions, culture and people-to-people ties. It demonstrates the depth and expanse as well as the potential & promise of a partnership," the statement said.
