Australia’s top pacer Mitchell Starc has finally opened up regarding his absence from the rest of the IPL 2025 season. The tournament, which was suspended for a week after increased cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, resumed after a ceasefire deal. While all other overseas players returned to finish the league, Starc and his Delhi Capitals’ teammate Jake Fraser-McGurk did not fly back.
“I’ve Had My Questions And Concerns”
Speaking to Sydney Morning Herald, Starc said that the choice was personal and related to safety. Starc further noted that he had also taken the same stance for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which was held in Pakistan and Dubai. Australia played their matches in Pakistan, with the exception of the semi-final against India, which took place in Dubai.
“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. 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,” said Starc.
“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.
The Dharamsala Blackout & IPL Suspension
The Delhi Capitals had themselves experienced a harrowing moment earlier in the season when their match against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala was suddenly stopped by an air raid alarm. The players had to travel for 12 hours six by car and six by train to get back to their headquarters. Starc and his wife Alyssa Healy flew back home as soon as the IPL was suspended.
“It Was A Very Individual Decision”
“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,” said Starc.
In spite of the situation, Starc made his clear allegiance to the franchise, affirming that he is still committed to the Delhi Capitals. He was one of their best performers during the season, and he was particularly missed during the playoffs.
“I Am Still Heavily Committed To Delhi Group”
“I’m still heavily committed to the Delhi group, and I’m not someone that’s gone into tournaments and pulled out after being picked up in an auction or whatever that looks like. These are different circumstances,” said Starc.
“I Had A Discussion Back Home”
“It was more a question of not having enough information leading into making a decision about things of that degree. 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,” he added.
