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Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has finally spoken out about his decision to skip the remainder of the IPL 2025 season with Delhi Capitals. The 35-year-old chose not to return after the tournament was temporarily suspended due to cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.

Safety First: Starc’s Decision Amid Political Turmoil

Starc was on the field during the Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings match on May 8 in Dharamshala when the game was abruptly halted. A security scare linked to suspected Pakistani drones led to a major evacuation effort.

The Indian Army’s swift response through ‘Operation Sindoor’ triggered the IPL’s suspension, with players and support staff relocated to New Delhi. Starc’s wife was also evacuated, and the couple returned home to Sydney shortly after.

Turning Focus to Test Cricket Over Franchise Duty

When the IPL resumed on May 17 after a ceasefire, Starc and fellow Australian Jake Fraser-McGurk chose not to rejoin DC. Starc has now revealed that his focus shifted toward red-ball cricket, especially the upcoming World Test Championship final against South Africa beginning June 11.

“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,” Starc told The Age from London.

Handling of Situation Raised Questions

Starc acknowledged that different players and franchises responded in their own ways to the incident.

“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,” he said.

“Things were handled differently for different players and different teams, the guys up in Dharamsala, the Punjab guys were part of that.”

He also highlighted the contrast in decision-making, saying, “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.”

Impact on DC and Future in IPL

Starc was a crucial performer for Delhi Capitals before his departure, grabbing 14 wickets in 11 matches. He often delivered during key moments, especially in the powerplay and at the death.

However, his absence created a significant void, contributing to DC’s early exit from the league.

Starc also acknowledged the possibility of facing consequences, saying he is prepared if the franchise or other teams decide against retaining him in the future.