The Delhi Capitals bowler Mitchell Starc has opted out of the remainder of the IPL 2025, which was suspended for a week due to border tensions between India and Pakistan.

Delhi Capitals suffers a major blow in the bowling attack with the pacer’s absence and force the franchise into race to find a replacement or rely on their existing setup.

Mitchell Starc has been one of the most prominent names to opt out after IPL 2025 resumption on May 17. The IPL 2025 was suspended due to rising military tensions between India and Pakistan.

He has been part of the game PBKS vs DC where the game called off due to air strike alerts in areas near the border.

His decision to skip the remainder of the IPL 2025 clears the part for an uninterrupted preparation for the World Test Championship finals (WTC 2025) where Australia will face South Africa at Lord’s starting on June 11.

Delhi Capitals has already lost Jake Fraser-McGurk who also decided not to return. The franchise had signed Bangaldesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman as a replacement, but his arrival remains undertain as Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is yet to issue him a NOC.

Bangladesh are currently engaged in a T20I against UAE in Sharjah. With Delhi awaits confirmation on Faf du Plessis’ availability, South African youngster Tristan Stubbs has confirmed his return, but only for the remainder of the league stage should the team qualify for the playoffs.

Mitchell Starc was the side’s highest wicket taker this season with 14 wickets in 11 matches. With crucial fixtures against Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings, his unavailability adds to the growing uncertainity around Delhi Capitals’s playoffs hopes.

Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood has confirmed to return India to rejoin Royal Challengers Bengaluru despite a shoulder niggle that ruled him out of RCB’s last clash against Chennai Super Kings.