Why Mitchell Starc is not playing T20 World Cup 2026? The left-arm quick retired from T20 internationals in September 2025 to prioritise Test cricket and the ODI World Cup 2027, meaning his absence from Australia’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad is not injury-related.
Mitchell Starc T20 World Cup 2026 absence has raised questions, especially with Australia entering the tournament without their established pace trio. However, the reason behind it is a strategic career decision rather than fitness concerns.
Why Mitchell Starc Is Not Playing T20 World Cup 2026
To address clearly why Mitchell Starc is not playing T20 World Cup 2026, it dates back to his announcement last year. The Mitchell Starc retirement from T20 internationals was confirmed in September 2025, six months before this edition of the tournament in India and Sri Lanka.
For those wondering, is Mitchell Starc retired? — the answer is yes, but only from T20Is. He continues to represent Australia in Test and ODI cricket and remains active in franchise leagues.
Mitchell Starc Retirement In Oct 2025
“Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority,” Starc said at the time, explaining the Mitchell Starc retirement decision and his long-term focus on red-ball cricket and the 50-over format.
His decision was shaped by a demanding international calendar that includes a major home season, an away tour of India, the Ashes, and the Mitchell Starc ODI World Cup 2027 campaign where Australia will defend their title.
So when asking why Mitchell Starc is not playing today the answer is straightforward — he stepped away from T20Is well before the tournament began.
Is Mitchell Starc Injured?
No. Is Mitchell Starc injured? There is no fresh Mitchell Starc injury update connected to this tournament.
Unlike Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Starc’s absence is not due to fitness. The Mitchell Starc T20 World Cup 2026 absence is purely down to retirement from the format.
Cummins is sidelined with a back issue, while Hazlewood is recovering from Achilles and hamstring problems. Starc, meanwhile, continues to play Test and ODI cricket and remains active in franchise leagues.
Mitchell Starc T20I Record And Legacy
Mitchell Starc T20I stats underline the significance of his departure. He finished with Mitchell Starc 79 wickets from 65 matches, placing him among Australia’s most successful bowlers in the format.
His Mitchell Starc last T20I match came during the 2024 World Cup in the Caribbean. One of his career highlights remains the Mitchell Starc 2021 T20 World Cup triumph, where Australia clinched their maiden title in the UAE.
His pace and ability to swing the new ball remain difficult attributes to replicate fully.
Mitchell Starc In All T20s Since 2025 – Strong BBL Return
While the question remains why Mitchell Starc is not playing T20 World Cup 2026, it is important to clarify that his absence has nothing to do with form.
Since stepping away from T20 internationals, Starc has continued to feature in franchise cricket and notably had a very strong Big Bash League campaign. His ability to swing the new ball and strike early was evident, and he even registered a four-wicket haul in the tournament.
Here is Mitchell Starc’s record in all T20 competitions since 2025:
| Tournament | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBL | 5 | 10 | 16.00 | 8.00 |
| IPL | 11 | 14 | 26.14 | 10.16 |
The BBL numbers underline how effective he remains in the format, averaging just 16 with an economy of 8.00 across five matches. Even in the IPL, where conditions can be batting-friendly, he picked up 14 wickets in 11 matches.
Australia Without Starc, Hazlewood And Cummins – How Are They Lining Up?
Australia without Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins marks the first time in over a decade that the team is entering a World Cup without all three frontline quicks. This was the major talking point in Australia squad for T20 World Cup 2026.
The Australia pace attack T20 World Cup 2026 now revolves around a new core. Nathan Ellis leading Australia attack has become a central storyline, particularly with his role as a death-overs specialist.
Ben Dwarshuis role has expanded, offering left-arm variation and powerplay options. Xavier Bartlett Australia continues to grow into the international setup, adding pace and bounce.
This new-look Australia pace attack is complemented by Adam Zampa’s spin control and flexible bowling combinations. The Australia bowling lineup without Starc is less about replacing one superstar and more about redistributing roles.
As selector George Bailey admitted, there is unlikely to be a like-for-like replacement for Starc’s ability to swing the new ball at high pace and deliver yorkers under pressure.
Who Replaced Mitchell Starc?
There is no direct answer to who replaced Mitchell Starc because Australia have opted for a collective transition rather than a single successor.
Nathan Ellis, Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis have all featured prominently in the Mitchell Starc Australia T20 squad rebuild phase over the past 18 months. The responsibility is now shared rather than concentrated. Though there is no Abbott, Australia have Xavier Bartlett, whose new ball skills means that he’s the most apt replacement for Starc, although he’s a right-arm pacer.
The Australia T20 World Cup 2026 squad reflects this shift, with a broader pool of fast bowlers gaining experience ahead of major tournaments.
So, why is Mitchell Starc not playing T20 World Cup 2026
The answer to why Mitchell Starc is not playing T20 World Cup 2026 is straightforward — he retired from T20 internationals to extend his longevity in Test cricket and prepare for the ODI World Cup 2027.
Australia now enter the tournament with a reshaped attack, banking on depth and adaptability rather than the dominance of their former pace trio.
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