IPL 2025: Mitchell Starc opts out to focus on WTC Final, Faf du Plessis to miss as well

Mitchell Starc, a left-arm bowler from Australia, has made the decision not to play in the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) 2025 final leg in India. The bowler, a standout player for the Delhi Capitals (DC) this season, has notified the team that he would not be available for the tournament’s remaining games.

The veteran has been called up to Australia’s team for the June 11 start of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against South Africa. He has chosen to leave early in order to concentrate on getting ready for the Test match, even though the IPL 2025 final is scheduled for June 3.

With 14 wickets in 11 games at an average of 26.14, Mitchell Starc is DC’s greatest wicket-taker to far and has been playing at his best this season.

In their quest for a postseason berth, DC will suffer greatly from his absence.

Faf du Plessis, a batter from South Africa, will also miss the rest of the competition. Before missing a few games because of an unidentified ailment, he began the season with the team. DC will now need to find Abhishek Porel’s opening partner after Jake Fraser-McGurk opted out. Tristan Stubbs, meantime, has stated that he will be attending the remainder of the league phase but will depart for the WTC Final.

DC has signed Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman as a replacement for Jake Fraser-McGurk, who will not return for the remainder of the tournament. However, there is uncertainty regarding the left-arm pacer’s participation, as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has not yet issued a No-Objection Certificate (NOC). The bowler is currently in Sharjah for the two-match T20I series against the UAE.

As for other Australians, the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who have been eliminated from the tournament, will have the services of Pat Cummins and Travis Head for their remaining league matches, which will end on May 25. This means they will have ample time to prepare for the WTC Final.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are awaiting a fitness update on Josh Hazlewood, who is looking after a niggle in the shoulder. Meanwhile, Josh Inglis is yet to confirm his return to the Punjab Kings (PBKS). Mitchell Marsh is set to rejoin the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the final stages of the IPL.