As the Indian Premier League 2025 enters its crucial final stretch, Delhi Capitals find themselves grappling with more than just the points table. Amidst a heated playoff race, the franchise is facing mounting uncertainty regarding the availability of their ace fast bowler, Mitchell Starc. So know that Mitchell Starc is playing in IPL 2025?
The Australian speedster, who has played a pivotal role for DC this season, has returned home, and media reports from Australia suggest that a return to India is increasingly unlikely. While the franchise remains in touch with their overseas players, a definitive answer is yet to emerge, leaving DC in a precarious situation as the business end of the tournament approaches.
Currently fifth on the points table with 13 points from 11 matches, DC are still well in contention for a playoff berth. With three critical games remaining against Gujarat Titans (May 18), Mumbai Indians (May 21), and Punjab Kings (May 24), they have little room for error. The absence of a match-winning pacer like Starc could prove costly, especially when margins are fine and the competition is fierce.
Further complicating DC’s campaign is the exit of another overseas star, Jake Fraser-McGurk. The Australian batter, signed for INR 9 crore at the mega auction, has confirmed his withdrawal from the remainder of the season.
In response, DC roped in Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman as a replacement for INR 6 crore. However, even Mustafizur’s availability is under a cloud, as he is currently in Dubai for Bangladesh’s T20I series against UAE.
Despite these setbacks, Delhi Capitals’ core squad remains intact, with most overseas players committed through the remainder of the tournament. However, Test commitments for some, like Tristan Stubbs, might limit their availability after the league stage.
The road ahead is challenging, but not impossible. For DC, every game now is virtually a knockout. With playoff qualification hanging in the balance, DC will need to dig deep, rely on their bench strength, and hope for clarity on the Starc situation soon.
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