'I Had A Bit Of Ankle Pain': Mitchell Starc Reveals Reason Behind His Withdrawal From Champions Trophy 2025

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Before the start of the Champions Trophy 2025, the Australian cricket team were left shocked after their star pacer Mitchell Starc pulled himself out of the marquee ICC event. However, his absence didn't effect the Aussies much as Starc's replacement displayed a quality performance in the tournament.

Spencer Johnson and Ben Dwarshuis were added in the squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 to solidify their pace attack. Even though Johnson failed to pick up a wicket in Australia's first match of the ongoing event against England, Dwarshuis scalped three wickets against the Three Lions. And then in Australia's second match of the group stage against South Africa, the game was abandoned after rain played a spoilsport in Rawalpindi.

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Apart from Starc, skipper Pat Cummins, seamer Josh Hazlewood and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh were also failed to make their place in the Champions Trophy 2025 squad due to injury concerns.

Mitchell Starc Opens Up On His Withdrawal From CT 25

Speaking at Willow Talk podcast, Starc revealed that there were some different reasons behind him pulling out of the 15-match tournament. The 35-year-old also cited that he had an "ankle pain" during the Test series against Sri Lanka which forced him to take the tough decision.

"There's a few different reasons, some personal views, and had a bit of ankle pain through the Test series [against Sri Lanka]. So just get that one right, obviously we've got the Test final coming up and a West Indies tour after that," Starc was quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

The Aussie pacer also pointed out that he needs to recover before the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League ( IPL ) as well. However, the spearhead prioritized the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at Lord's.  

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"There's some IPL cricket as well, but my main one top of my mind is that Test final so get my body right, play some cricket in the next couple of months and then ready to go for the Test final," he added.

What Lies Ahead For Australia In Champions Trophy 2025

Australia will lock horns against Afghanistan in their upcoming match of the tournament on February 27 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. It's a must win match for the Aussies to make their place in the semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2025. In the knock-out stage, the Kangaroos will either face New Zealand or India.