IPL 2025: "We saw what happened"- Mitchell Starc's no-nonsense take on why he didn't return to India

Mitchell Starc picked 14 wickets from 10 innings at an average of 26.14 in IPL 2025.

Delhi Capitals (DC) pacer Mitchell Starc opened up about why he decided not to return to India for the last phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. He said that he was comfortable with his decision, and once the league was suspended, he decided to tilt his focus on red-ball cricket. 

IPL 2025 was halted midway due to the tensions between India and Pakistan. The tournament was suspended for around a week, and it came after the game between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) at Dharamsala was stopped when Pakistan attacked the Pathankot region of Jammu and Kashmir. 

As the league was suspended, almost all the overseas players went back home. However, as IPL 2025 resumed, a few of the players declined to return due to security issues, and one among them was Australian pacer Mitchell Starc. 

Mitchell Starc, who played a key role for Delhi Capitals, left a massive void in the team, and his absence surely cost them. The Axar Patel-led side failed to qualify for the playoffs as they ended the league stage fourth on the points table.

I’m comfortable with my decision and how I felt about the whole situation and how it was handled – Mitchell Starc

While talking about his decision not to return for the IPL 2025, Mitchell Starc said that his decision came in the wake of the way the situation was handled. As quoted by NDTV, he said: 

“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.”

Mitchell Starc added that the final of the World Test Championship 2025 also played a part in his decision. He said: 

“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.” 

Mitchell Starc picked 14 wickets from 10 innings at an average of 26.14 in the IPL 2025. He will now be seen in action when Australia takes on South Africa in the final of the ICC World Test Championship, starting on 11th June.

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