Mitchell Starc Unavailable for Remainder of IPL 2025 Season

New Delhi : Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has opted out of the remainder of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season and will not return to complete his campaign with the Delhi Capitals (DC). The decision comes in the wake of heightened regional tensions near the India-Pakistan border, which reportedly influenced his choice to step away from the tournament.

Starc was part of the Delhi Capitals squad that played against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala last week, a match marred by off-field developments. The surrounding regions—Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, and Hoshiarpur—were placed on high alert amid air-raid sirens and subsequent blackouts. The escalating situation led to the temporary evacuation of the stadium, causing panic among spectators and players alike. Although no direct threat was reported, the unsettling environment has prompted several foreign players to reassess their involvement in the league.

According to a report from the Australian Associated Press (AAP), Starc has formally communicated his unavailability to the Capitals management. The left-arm pacer, bought for ₹11.75 crore at the IPL 2025 auction, played 11 matches this season, taking 14 wickets. His impactful performances included a Super Over appearance and a maiden five-wicket haul in T20 cricket. He was instrumental in securing at least two narrow victories for Delhi, showcasing his enduring match-winning abilities.

Starc becomes the second Australian to pull out of the Capitals squad mid-season after explosive batter Jake Fraser-McGurk exited due to personal reasons. Fraser-McGurk was replaced by Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman, although the move stirred minor controversy, as neither the player nor the franchise reportedly informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) about obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC). This miscommunication is particularly relevant as Bangladesh is set to play a two-match T20 series against the UAE on May 17 and 19, which overlaps with the ongoing IPL.

There is also uncertainty over the return of other Australian players, including Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis, with the Capitals and Cricket Australia in ongoing discussions.