Mitchell Starc Explains His Decision to Skip IPL 2025 Amid Safety Concerns

Mitchell Starc has opened up about his decision to skip the remainder of IPL 2025, citing personal safety concerns amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. In an interview, he discussed the impact of the Pahalgam terror attack on his choice and reflected on the differing responses among players. Starc emphasized his commitment to the Delhi Capitals despite the circumstances and expressed confidence in his decision-making process. His insights shed light on the complexities athletes face in balancing professional commitments with personal safety.
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Mitchell Starc Explains His Decision to Skip IPL 2025 Amid Safety Concerns

Starc Addresses His IPL Absence

Mitchell Starc, Australia's leading fast bowler, has finally shared insights into his decision to withdraw from the remainder of the IPL 2025 season. The tournament faced a week-long suspension due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror incident, but resumed after a ceasefire was established. While other international players returned to complete the league, Starc and his Delhi Capitals teammate Jake Fraser-McGurk chose not to return.


Personal Safety Concerns

In an interview with a prominent Australian publication, Starc explained that his choice was influenced by personal safety considerations. He mentioned that he had similar reservations during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which took place in Pakistan and Dubai. Australia played their matches in Pakistan, except for the semi-final against India, which was held in Dubai.


Starc stated, "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."


Dharamsala Incident and IPL Suspension

Earlier in the season, the Delhi Capitals faced a frightening situation when their match against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala was interrupted by an air raid alarm. The players endured a lengthy 12-hour journey back to their base, traveling six hours by car and another six by train. Following the IPL's suspension, Starc and his wife Alyssa Healy returned home immediately.


An Individual Choice

Starc emphasized that the decisions made by players varied significantly. He noted, "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."


Commitment to Delhi Capitals

Despite the circumstances, Starc reaffirmed his dedication to the Delhi Capitals, highlighting his strong performance during the season and how much he was missed in the playoffs. He stated, "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."


Making an Informed Decision

Starc concluded by explaining that his decision stemmed from a lack of sufficient information regarding the situation. He mentioned, "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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