Delhi Capitals (DC) are dealing with a big blow as star Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has pulled out of the rest of the IPL 2025 season after the tournament was rescheduled following geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan. 

After being paused on May 9 due to air raid alerts in Dharamsala, the IPL 2025 is all set to resume on May 17, with the final now locked in for June 3. But Delhi Capitals have taken a hit, as Mitchell Starc has decided to skip the remainder of the tournament to gear up for the World Test Championship final against South Africa, starting June 11 at Lord’s. Currently sitting fifth on the points table with 13 points from 11 matches, DC’s path to the playoffs just became more uncertain without one of their key overseas stars.

Starc, who was signed for a whopping AUD 2.1 million, could miss out on roughly $450,000 in earnings if DC fails to qualify for the playoffs, thanks to the IPL’s pay-per-match structure. If DC had reached all three playoff games, his financial loss would have been even steeper. The setback is even worse with Jake Fraser-McGurk also unavailable. Add to that the recent fan outrage over the choice to bring in Mustafizur Rahman as a replacement, and Delhi Capitals are left scrambling with their overseas player balance hanging by a thread.

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DC's Playoff Hopes in Jeopardy

Starc pulling out couldn’t have come at a worse time for Delhi Capitals. They’re set to face Mumbai Indians on May 21 at the Wankhede — a must-win clash in their push for a top-four spot. The legendary Australian bowler's absence removes a vital edge from DC’s bowling setup. Starc has picked up 49 wickets in just 27 matches that he has played in the IPL so far. Not only that his experience will be a crucial miss for DC especially in the fag end of the tournament. Now, the pressure entirely falls on the likes of Mukesh Kumar and Mohit Sharma to deliver for DC in the remaining fixtures.

Mitch Starc has decided against returning to the IPL after the tournament's postponement: https://t.co/5p3zdSkD4E pic.twitter.com/cp6VPn7eVJ

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) May 16, 2025

The move was prompted by the disturbing scenes during the suspension of the IPL, including air raid warnings during DC's match against Punjab Kings on May 8, an ordeal his wife Alyssa Healy described as "terrifying" on the Willow Talk podcast. As DC deals with this loss and potential future auction penalties for players who opt out, their mission will be to galvanize the team to get past these obstacles and keep their hopes of playoffs in IPL 2025 alive.