Islamabad, 8 May, 2025:Australian leading cricketers have arrived home as doubts persist over the resumption of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Growing regional tensions and a pause in the tournament have left players uncertain about returning to India.
Mitchell Starc, who landed in Sydney on Sunday with his wife Alyssa Healy, chose not to speak to reporters at the airport.
His manager later informed Nine News that the fast bowler is considering pulling out of the remaining IPL season if it resumes.
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All-rounder Marcus Stoinis also returned home and confirmed that everyone was safe but refrained from discussing future plans regarding the league.
The IPL was halted for a week after Thursday night’s match between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings in Dharamsala was abandoned due to air raid alerts in the surrounding areas.
Reports suggest several Australian players were already concerned about playing in northern venues amid rising tensions.
Cricket Australia is supporting players’ right to skip the IPL without risking selection or ties with the BCCI, stressing that safety comes first.
The BCCI is closely monitoring the situation, with its secretary saying a restart depends on government approval and no date confirmed yet.
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Amid safety concerns, there is speculation that the remaining matches may be relocated to southern cities such as Bengaluru or Chennai.
However, the international cricket calendar is already tight, complicating any rescheduling efforts.
Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood, and Head are set to tour the UK for the WTC final against South Africa, then head to the West Indies for a Test series.
It remains unclear whether they will return to India for the remainder of the IPL, which is likely to extend beyond its original schedule.
The situation continues to evolve, with players, boards, and organisers treading cautiously as safety and scheduling concerns take centre stage.
