In a major development that could alter the trajectory of IPL 2025, Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has officially pulled out of the remainder of the tournament. The Delhi Capitals (DC), currently in a tense mid-table battle for playoff qualification, now face the daunting task of regrouping without their premier overseas fast bowler. Amid mounting speculation following the suspension of IPL due to cross-border tensions, Starc’s decision was confirmed to the DC management earlier this week. His absence is not just a statistical blow—it’s a psychological one for a side that was banking on his experience to anchor the bowling attack in the business end of the season.
Starc’s withdrawal coincides with a broader challenge faced by several IPL franchises—player unavailability due to international cricket commitments. As teams scramble to rebuild under a revamped schedule, replacements and tactical rejigs have become the new normal.
Delhi Capitals, under Axar Patel’s leadership, are already feeling the pinch. Thursday’s practice session at the Arun Jaitley Stadium saw a depleted squad, with only Dushmantha Chameera representing the overseas contingent. Notably absent were key foreign players Faf du Plessis and Tristan Stubbs, both of whom are expected to arrive shortly. Stubbs’ participation, however, remains uncertain beyond May due to South Africa’s red-ball commitments.
In an attempt to plug gaps, Delhi roped in Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman as a replacement for Jake Fraser-McGurk, another high-impact player who opted out of the resumed campaign. However, even this move is mired in uncertainty. Mustafizur, while named, has yet to secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). With a T20I series against Pakistan looming from May 25, his availability is under serious doubt.
This has left DC with a constantly shifting overseas roster, affecting both match planning and dressing room synergy—a critical factor in the high-pressure final stretch of the IPL league stage.
Despite the setbacks, Thursday’s training session offered glimpses of intent. KL Rahul, a recent acquisition for the Capitals, looked sharp as he drilled range-hitting sequences under the watchful eye of the coaching staff. However, Kuldeep Yadav’s absence raised a few eyebrows, with no official word from the franchise on his status.
Mentor Kevin Pietersen is slated to rejoin the squad on May 16, offering not just tactical inputs but crucial morale support at a time when team cohesion is under threat. The Capitals will shift base to their Aerocity training ground for the next session as they prepare to face the Gujarat Titans in a high-stakes clash on May 18.
At fifth place on the points table, DC’s margin for error is razor-thin. The absence of a strike bowler like Starc in crunch games could prove pivotal. The Capitals’ ability to adapt—to reshuffle their bowling unit, recalibrate strategies, and forge new match-winning combinations—will now define their season.
With the IPL 2025 playoffs rapidly approaching and heavyweights like Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians jostling for top spots, every ball, every over, and every replacement matters.
