The aftermath of the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) suspension hasn’t been great for many teams, including the Delhi Capitals (DC), who is reportedly going to miss talismanic pacer Mitchell Starc. According to reports, the Australian star pacer won’t return to India to complete the remaining set of the IPL 2025 games.
No Mitchell Starc, what does it mean for DC?
It was all going well until an unprecedented move happened – the one-week suspension of the IPL 2025. Gladly, the 18th edition is back and will restart from Saturday, May 17 onwards, with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) taking on the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). These are also the two teams who have beaten Delhi Capitals at their own home ground – the Arun Jaitley Stadium – this season.
The losses were part of DC’s horrible run in the second half of the season that put their qualification chances on a knife-edge. In their last eight games, DC have managed to win just twice, with one game ending in a no-result and one more to be replayed (vs PBKS).
Now, according to the Times of India, DC won’t be having Mitchell Starc for their three remaining league games and also for the playoffs, given their confirm qualification. The development has been on expected lines although. The left-arm pacer, who started the season with a bang (8 wickets in two games), has so far mustered 14 wickets at a bowling strike rate of 15.0. His economy (10.17), however, has been on a higher side.
While the reason for Starc’s unavailability has not been confirmed, it is understandable considering Australia’s all-important World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final against South Africa that begins on June 11.
DC at IPL 2025: Faf du Plessis, Stubbs to join soon
The Capitals, led by Axar Patel, resumed practice at the Arun Jaitley Stadium with Dushmantha Chameera being the sole overseas player in attendance. Faf du Plessis and Tristan Stubbs are expected to join the team soon. Meanwhile, mentor Kevin Pietersen, who returned home during the suspension, will rejoin the squad today (May 16).
DC already knew the uncertainty around Starc and hence made a presumptive move when they replaced Jake Fraser-McGurk with Mustafizur Rahman. He wasn’t a like-for-like temporary signing. However, he makes up for Starc – an experienced left-arm option who adds variety to the bowling attack.
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