IPL 2025: How much pay cut will Mitchell Starc face for pulling out mid-way? Explained

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has officially pulled out for the remainder of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 in order to prioritize playing for the country at the World Test Championship Final against South Africa at the Lord’s. The 35-year-old’s decision comes after the tournament was suspended mid-way and had an extension by a week and a half for the resumption of the rest of the season.

Will Mitchell Starc face any pay cut?

Yes. Starc, who was bagged by the Delhi Capitals at the mega auction for a whopping 11.75 crore ahead of the 2025 season, will now be facing monetary trouble for pulling out of the tournament without completing the full season. According to cricket.com.au, Starc will have to let go one-third of his IPL 2025 salary, in case DC make it to the finals of the ongoing edition.

This means that the left-arm pacer will have to let go a massive sum of INR 3.92 crore from his pay check, resulting in a huge loss in his salary for the current season. If it happens, the Sydney-born will be getting only INR 7.83 crore out of his actual commitment. Starc was a vital cog of the DC bowling unit, and had also been among the wickets despite being a bit on the expensive side with respect to his economy rate. He took 14 wickets in 11 games, including a five-wicket haul as well. 

His stay with the Axar Patel-led side would have definitely been a plus-point, as the team is in dire need of wins to make it to the top four of the tournament. The Capitals are currently fifth on the IPL 2025 Points Table and are among the four contenders for the playoffs’ spot. They have three matches remaining, and a win in at least two of them will take them closer to the qualification. Winning all three, will guarantee a top four finish.

Speaking of the WTC Final, Australia made it to their second–consecutive summit clash with a series win against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The Pat Cummins-led side will enter to defend their title against Temba Bavuma’s South Africa, where the Aussie skipper will lead the pacer’s unit alongside Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland.

Australia squad for WTC Final 2025 vs South Africa

Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (vice-captain), Travis Head, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Beau Webster, Cameron Green. (Travelling Reserve: Brendan Doggett)