Top Australian Cricketers May Skip Resumed IPL 2025
Australian player Mitchell Starc is doubtful to return after the suspension of IPL 2025 due to Indo-Pak tensions. Starc's manager said that he cannot return to India even if the tournament resumes. Cricket Australia has assured support to the players.
A few days ago, IPL 2025 was postponed due to the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan, after which all foreign players were sent back to their country. Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who is playing for Delhi Capitals this season, is unlikely to return to India. Even if the suspended IPL 2025 season resumes, the hopes of Starc's return are quite low. A lot of top Australian cricketers can leave the IPL which was suspended for a week on Friday. According to a report, the IPL may be shifted to May 16 and the final may be played on May 30.
After the suspension of IPL 2025, the top Australian players have reached their respective countries. When Starc arrived in Sydney with his wife Alyssa Healy, he refused to speak to the local media on the matter. However, Starc's manager later told an Australia news outlet that he could not return to India if the tournament resumed. According to a report, Cricket Australia will support their players if the players do not return when the IPL resumes.
Starc is not the only Australian cricketer whose participation in the IPL is doubtful. Pat Cummins and Travis Head, whose team Sunrisers Hyderabad is already out of contention for the playoffs, would prefer to stay in Australia to prepare for the WTC final starting June 11. Also, bringing back foreign players and support staff who have left India within 24 hours of suspension can be challenging.
Most of the New Zealand players have also returned to their country, while Cricket South Africa is yet to decide whether their players can extend their stay beyond the NOC deadline of May 25. CSA is expected to discuss the issue on Sunday.
The same problems have increased for Royal Challengers Bangalore as well. Team captain Rajat Patidar, who suffered a finger injury while fielding against Chennai Super Kings, was scheduled to be ruled out of two matches. This unscheduled break has now given him a good opportunity to recover. RCB is carefully managing their rehabilitation and keeping an eye on their availability in the playoffs.