May 16, 2025: As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season hangs in uncertainty amid ongoing India-Pakistan border tensions, the Delhi Capitals franchise finds itself navigating a series of overseas player exits and replacements. The latest development involves a viral video of Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who was spotted at Delhi airport’s departure terminal, reportedly on his way out of India following the suspension of the tournament.
In the video, a vlogger attempts to record Starc, only to be met with a visibly displeased reaction. The Australian star sternly told the fan to “go away,” reflecting the tension surrounding the sudden halt of IPL matches and the uncertainty faced by foreign players.
While there has been no official confirmation on whether Starc will return for the remainder of the IPL season, Delhi Capitals are preparing for all possibilities. In a strategic move, the franchise has signed Bangladesh’s left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman as a replacement for Australian opener Jake Fraser-McGurk, who has been released for the remainder of the season. Fraser-McGurk had managed only 55 runs in six matches and had already been dropped before the tournament’s suspension.
“The JSW and GMR co-owned franchise Delhi Capitals today announced the signing of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman as a replacement for Australian opener Jake Fraser-McGurk,” the team stated in an official release.
However, Mustafizur’s availability is also in question. The Bangladeshi fast bowler flew to Dubai on Wednesday to participate in Bangladesh’s two-match T20I series against the UAE, scheduled for May 17 and 19. According to sources, Mustafizur is unlikely to be available before May 20, which means he will miss Delhi Capitals’ crucial game against Gujarat Titans.
The situation has prompted the franchise to engage in discussions with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), requesting early release from national duty. As is standard practice, BCB also receives a percentage of a player’s IPL contract, making negotiations financially significant.
While fans eagerly await clarity on Starc’s status and Mustafizur’s return, the Delhi Capitals are facing a critical phase in their 2025 campaign — one shaped as much by off-field diplomacy as on-field performance.