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Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has spoken out for the first time about his decision not to return for the remaining matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, following the recent conflict between India and Pakistan that led to a temporary suspension of the tournament.
The IPL was halted on May 9 after cross-border hostilities escalated, particularly impacting regions near the India-Pakistan border. The suspension came during a group stage match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) in Dharamsala, where Starc and other players experienced a harrowing ordeal as air raid alerts triggered panic and left teams stranded for hours without clear communication or assurances of safety.
While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) moved swiftly to resume the tournament after a ceasefire was reached, urging foreign players to return, Starc and fellow Australian Jake Fraser-McGurk opted not to rejoin their Delhi Capitals squad. This decision stood in contrast to most other overseas players, including several Australians, who chose to fulfill their contracts for the remainder of the season.
Mitchell Starc opens up about his decision not to return for IPL 2025
In a candid statement to the media, Starc explained, “I’m comfortable with my decision and how I felt about the whole situation and how it was handled. That’s why I made my decision post-that, and my focus changed to red-ball cricket for about a week prior to coming over here.” He emphasized that the traumatic experience in Dharamsala, coupled with ongoing security concerns, played a decisive role in his choice to prioritize personal safety and mental well-being over franchise obligations.
Starc acknowledged the pressure from franchise expectations and the possibility of repercussions, as the IPL had warned of potential bans for players who withdrew after being picked in the auction. Despite this, he reiterated his readiness to face any consequences, stating, “Time will tell with repercussions or how it looks with guys that didn’t return. But I’ve had my questions and concerns leading into that game, and obviously, we saw what happened, which played a part in my decision.”
The left-arm pacer also highlighted the individual nature of such decisions, noting, “Things were handled differently for different players and different teams. The guys up in Dharamsala, the Punjab guys, were part of that, and while both teams had similar experiences up there, all those guys returned for Punjab, and Jake [Fraser-McGurk] and I chose not to. So, it was a very individual decision, and I’m happy to live with whatever comes of that.”
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Starc prioritized WTC final preparations over remainder of IPL 2025
Starc, who has previously skipped IPL seasons to focus on international commitments, made it clear that this was the first time he had withdrawn due to security reasons. With the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa looming, he has shifted his full attention to leading Australia’s attack at Lord’s from June 11, reaffirming his commitment to the national side.
“There was a little bit of that to my decision around the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. And then once the tournament was delayed you start to think about guys’ preparation for the Test match,” he added.
As the IPL and cricketing authorities deliberate on the future participation of players who opted out, Starc’s stance has sparked debate about player safety, franchise loyalty, and the pressures faced by international cricketers in volatile geopolitical climates. For now, Starc remains resolute: “I had a discussion back home, then came to a decision, and whatever comes from that, I’m comfortable with that, and we move forward.”
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