With each day passing, one Australian main player is giving bad news to the cricket world. Now, the left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc has decided to withdraw his name from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 for personal reasons, and it has left the latest ODI World Cup champions in a weaker state. 

Due to injuries, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh have already been ruled out from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 along with the skipper Pat Cummins. Moreover, the situation has become tougher for the Aussies after Marcus Stoinis surprisingly retired from the ODI format. Now, Starc has given a new blow to the two-time ICC Champions Trophy winners.

Starc hasn’t revealed the reason for his name withdrawal from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but he seemed in some discomfort during the second Test in Galle against the hosts Sri Lanka. Earlier, he was in discomfort during the last Boxing Day Test against India in Melbourne, but he was present in the next Test in Sydney.

Pakistan is getting ready to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, while India will play all their matches in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The tournament will run between February 19 and March 9.

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ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India will not travel to Pakistan

Due to long-term political issues, India clarified their stance to not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. It forced Pakistan to shift India’s matches to Dubai. While all six other teams have given the green signal to participate in the ICC tournament in Pakistan, the top Australian cricketers don’t seem really happy with the decision to play in Pakistan.

Currently, Steven Smith is set to lead the Aussie side in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. But if the drama moves further, we will not be surprised anymore.

ODI format in hurt

Also, the absence of top names in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 hurts the tournament as well as the ODI format. While this middle format is struggling to maintain its charm, the players are feeling under pressure to handle this format.