So this is why Mitchell Starc did not come to play in the remaining IPL 2025, he himself made a big revelation

Last month, the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was unexpectedly halted due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan. As border hostilities escalated, the tournament was temporarily suspended for a few days to ensure the safety of players and fans. During this pause, many foreign players who were participating in the league were sent back to their respective countries as a precautionary measure. Among them was Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who had been playing a crucial role for the Delhi Capitals. While the tournament later resumed once the situation between the two nations returned to normal, Starc notably did not return for the remaining matches of the IPL. Now, the experienced left-arm pacer has spoken out and revealed the reason behind his decision to stay away from the rest of the tournament.

In a recent interview with *The Age*, Starc shared his thoughts on the situation and explained why he chose not to rejoin the Delhi Capitals. He stated, “I am satisfied with my decision and also satisfied with what I felt about the whole situation and the way it was handled. So, I took my decision after that, and my focus was on red-ball cricket for about a week before coming here (UK). Only time will tell what the results will be or what happens to those who did not return.” Starc’s statement reflects that his decision was driven by a combination of personal judgment, safety concerns, and professional planning.

Starc further elaborated that even before Delhi's match against Punjab, he already had questions and concerns regarding the unfolding situation in the region. He mentioned that the incident and the uncertainty surrounding the IPL’s continuation played a key role in his final decision. “But before that match (Delhi vs Punjab), I had some questions and concerns, and obviously we saw what happened, which played a key role in my decision,” Starc said. He added that his decision was also influenced by the Champions Trophy held in Pakistan earlier in the year, during which he had already chosen to opt out, again citing personal reasons. When the IPL was suspended, Starc began thinking more seriously about his preparation for upcoming Test matches and decided that it was best not to return for the rest of the T20 tournament.

From Starc’s comments, it is clear that his withdrawal from the remainder of IPL 2025 was primarily due to security concerns and a focus on preparing for red-ball cricket. For Delhi Capitals, Starc’s absence was a significant blow. As one of their lead bowlers, he had been delivering consistent performances, and without him, the team struggled in the crucial final matches of the league.

In his absence, Delhi Capitals lost a must-win game against the Mumbai Indians by a margin of 59 runs, effectively ending their campaign in the tournament. Overall, Delhi won 7 of their 14 league-stage matches and finished with 15 points, falling just short of playoff qualification by ending in 5th place on the points table. Starc’s decision may have been the right one for his personal and professional goals, but it left a notable impact on his IPL franchise, who had been counting on his experience and skill to carry them further into the competition.

Ultimately, Starc’s revelation highlights the difficult choices international cricketers often face when balancing professional commitments with personal safety and long-term career planning.