Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc said he feels good about his choice to leave the Indian Premier League (IPL) after the India-Pakistan clashes last month, even if it might have consequences.
The IPL was paused on May 9 after tensions rose between the two countries. It started again on May 17 once both sides agreed to a ceasefire.
Many overseas players returned to finish the season, but Starc and fellow Australian Jake Fraser-McGurk from Delhi Capitals did not come back for the rest of the tournament.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald on Friday, Starc said, “I’m at peace with my decision and how the whole thing was managed.”
He added, “We’ll see later if there are any consequences for those of us who didn’t return. But I had doubts and concerns before that match, and what eventually happened influenced my decision not to go back.”
Mitchell Starc was in Dharamsala for Delhi’s May 9 match against Punjab Kings, near the Pakistan border. The game was stopped halfway due to what league officials said was a floodlight failure.
Starc explained that both he and teammate Jake decided not to return after the disruption. “It was a personal choice, and I’m okay with whatever happens because of it,” he said.
Earlier this year, Starc also chose not to play in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan for personal reasons. He has skipped the IPL before as well to focus on his international career.
Starc said that this time, too, his decision to leave the IPL was based on special circumstances. He emphasized that he still supports the Delhi team and doesn’t usually pull out after being picked in the auction.
“These were unique situations,” he explained. “I spoke with people back home, made my decision, and I’m at peace with it. Now it’s time to move on.”
