Starc opts out of IPL return, but Cummins, Head and Marsh back in action

Mitchell Starc will not be returning to this season's Indian Premier League, dealing a major blow to Delhi Capitals' playoff hopes. The left-arm pacer, who flew back to Australia after the IPL was suspended, remains the team's highest wicket-taker with 14 scalps.

The tournament was halted last Friday following tensions between India and Pakistan. It is set to resume on Saturday, but Starc's absence has now been confirmed.

Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk had earlier announced that he would not return either. In his place, Delhi roped in Bangladesh's left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman for ₹6 crore — triple his base price — hinting at the uncertainty surrounding Starc's availability. That uncertainty has now turned into confirmation.

Starc's decision not to rejoin the IPL gives him more time to prepare for the World Test Championship final. However, it will cost him a significant chunk of his ₹11.75 crore contract.

Not all Australian cricketers are following Starc and Fraser-McGurk's lead. Despite Sunrisers Hyderabad being out of the playoff race, skipper Pat Cummins and opener Travis Head are returning to play their final three league matches. Both are also set to feature in the WTC final, with Cummins captaining Australia.

There is still no clarity regarding Josh Hazlewood's return. The pacer, who last played on 27 April due to a shoulder niggle, will decide based on his fitness. With the Test final beginning on 11 June, he is unlikely to take any risks.

Meanwhile, Mitchell Marsh is heading back to join Lucknow Super Giants, although their chances of reaching the playoffs are slim. Josh Inglis is still in discussions with Punjab Kings over a possible return. Inglis is also part of Australia's squad for the Test final.

South Africa's Tristan Stubbs is set to return for Delhi but will only be available for the remaining group stage matches. The South African cricket board, in consultation with the BCCI, has instructed all its WTC-bound players to return home by 27 May.

Others who will leave after the group stage include Gujarat Titans' Kagiso Rabada, Lucknow's Aiden Markram, Punjab's Marco Jansen, RCB's Lungi Ngidi, Sunrisers' Wiaan Mulder, and Mumbai Indians' Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch.

Former South African captain Faf du Plessis does not face such restrictions, but his return to Delhi Capitals remains uncertain.

England's Will Jacks, who rejoined Mumbai Indians, will have to depart before the playoffs to join the national side. Mumbai have brought in Jonny Bairstow and pacer Richard Gleeson as replacements for Jacks and Rickelton.