Mitchell Johnson Not Found But Mitchell Starc Opts Out
The IPL 2025 has been plagued by player withdrawals, with several big-name players opting out due to injury, international commitments, or personal reasons. The tournament will likely see a significant shift in team dynamics, as players like Jos Buttler, Ryan Rickelton, and Will Jacks will miss the playoffs, and will be replaced by other players.
Australian speedster Mitchell Starc will not participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) before the World Test Championship final, opting to return home instead of traveling to India. This decision comes as a significant blow to the Delhi Capitals, for whom Starc was a crucial member of the bowling attack, having taken 14 wickets in 11 matches.
The absence of Starc is not an isolated incident, as several other big-name players will also miss the remainder of the IPL 2025 due to various reasons. Fellow Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood is nursing a shoulder injury and may not return to play for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while teammates Pat Cummins and Travis Head will return to India to play for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Additionally, South Africa's Test players, including eight in the IPL, may also not play the remainder of the league due to a scheduled warm-up match against Zimbabwe on June 3.
Other notable absentees include Lockie Ferguson, who was dropped by Punjab Kings due to injury, and Jake Fraser-McGurk, who took a leave of absence after being "shaken" by the events in Dharamsala. Faf du Plessis and Donovan Ferreira from Delhi Capitals will also miss the tournament, while Rajasthan Royals' Jofra Archer has been kept in bubble wrap by the English Cricket Board to maintain his fitness.
The delayed schedule of the IPL has led to a conflict with international commitments, causing a string of overseas players to opt out. As a result, several teams will be without key players for the remainder of the tournament, which may impact their playoff chances. The absence of these players will undoubtedly be felt, and it will be interesting to see how their teams adapt to their losses.