Sydney, May 16 -- Mitchell Starc has become the highest-profile Australian to opt out of returning to the IPL, with the veteran quick deciding against flying back to India.
His decision means he will have a clear runway into the World Test Championship (WTC) final, avoiding the possibility of playing T20s in India a week before the match.
Starc had always appeared one of the more hesitant players to return to India, after the tournament was postponed last week due to the hosts' conflict with Pakistan.
A "pause" in fighting between the two countries has prompted India's cricket board to resume the league on Saturday night (AEST).
The final of the tournament has been pushed back to June 3, eight days before the WTC final between Australia...