Starc's absence not felt yet but we need him at the earliest: Munaf Patel
Mitchell Starc is yet to get the NOC from Cricket Australia and is nursing a shoulder injury
Delhi Capitals have won their first two games without Mitchell Starc but bowling coach Munaf Patel wants his pace spearhead to link up with the squad at the earliest as there is "no bigger bowler than him in the IPL".
With what Starc brings to the table, former India pacer Munaf said the Australian can only be compared to Jasprit Bumrah.
Starc is yet to get the NOC from Cricket Australia and is nursing a shoulder injury.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the game against Gujarat Titans, Munaf said he is asking about Starc's arrival on a daily basis.
"We have won two games so it has not been felt," Munai said on a lighter note.
"If we don't do well, it depends. He is one of the best in the world. There is no bigger bowler in the IPL than Starc. Bumrah is the only one I can think of. He has so much experience, he swings at 140kmph plus with the new ball. I follow up with the team every day. Cricket Australia will update us. We need him as our main bowler," said Munaf.
At DC, Munaf is enjoying working with the likes of Lungi Ngigi, T Natarajan and Aquib Nabi.
When asked about bowlers who clock 150 kmph and above breaking down often, Munaf came up with a witty response.
"The guys who bowl at 150 are not playing. If they don't play they will stay injured. We have come from a system that the more you bowl the more rhythm you have. When you are injured and not in rhythm, you will automatically get injured," he said.
Talking about Ngidi who has impressed one and all with his variations recently, Munaf was all praise.
"Lungi with his limitations, he is a very good bowler. He is a good man, he is an easy man to handle unlike other foreigners. He has a good idea of how to bowl on these wickets. He doesn't try to bowl at express pace. He uses his yorkers and slower ones effectively."
On Nabi, he added: "He is fond of bowling, has a great work ethic. IPL kee hawa nahi lagi hain ab tak (He has not got the hang of IPL yet). He took 60 wickets in Ranji Trophy, it is a big deal. He is ready to play for us. He could play anytime including as an impact player."
