As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 resumes on May 17 following a week-long suspension due to geopolitical tensions, teams are grappling with the uncertain availability of overseas players. Among the most notable absentees is Mitchell Starc, the Australian pacer representing Delhi Capitals, who is reportedly unlikely to return to India for the remainder of the season.

According to reports from Australia, Starc, who had returned home during the crisis, is not expected to make a comeback, dealing a major blow to Delhi Capitals’ playoff hopes. The franchise is also awaiting clarity on the return of opener Jake Fraser-McGurk, while the rest of the overseas players are likely to rejoin. South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs, however, may not be available beyond the league stage due to Test commitments.

With several international series lined up and the World Test Championship (WTC) final around the corner, IPL franchises are seeing a reshuffle in squad availability. England and West Indies players are tied up with ODIs starting May 29, and South Africa’s Test squad will assemble in England by May 31. This has raised questions about the return of players like Josh Hazlewood (RCB), Kagiso Rabada (GT), Sherfane Rutherford (GT), and Spencer Johnson (KKR), among others.

To ease the impact, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has allowed franchises to bring in ‘temporary replacements’ for foreign players who choose not to return. However, these players cannot be retained for IPL 2026 and must register for the next auction, as clarified in an internal memo.

Delhi Capitals have already signed Mustafizur Rahman for ₹6 crore as Fraser-McGurk’s replacement. Other franchises, including CSK who lost Jamie Overton, are expected to announce replacements shortly.

As teams prepare for the final stretch of IPL 2025, the availability of international players continues to evolve, and franchises are rapidly adjusting strategies to cope with late-stage uncertainties.