Will Mitchell Starc Play In IPL 2026?: Veteran Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc retired from T20I cricket on September 2, 2025, winding down a career of 65 T20Is.
Starc, who made his T20I debut in 2012 after having made his Test and ODI debuts in 2011 and 2010, respectively, bows out of T20Is with 79 wickets to his name. He has an impressive average of 18.4 and an economy of 7.74 in the shortest international format.
Mitchell Starc’s best bowling figures in T20Is were 4/20, which he claimed against the West Indies in Brisbane in October 2022.
Why did Mitchell Starc retire from T20Is?
The 35-year-old Starc said that he wants to be fit and fresh for Australia’s busy Test schedule over the next two years—which includes two Ashes series (home and away), a home series against Bangladesh, a series in India, and a series each against South Africa and New Zealand—and also wants to feature in the 2027 ODI World Cup, where Australia will be the defending champions.
“Looking ahead to an away Indian Test tour, the Ashes and an ODI World Cup in 2027, I feel this is my best way forward to remain fresh, fit and at my best for those campaigns,” Starc said.
Starc featured in five T20I World Cups from 2012 to 2024, missing the 2016 edition in India. In 25 T20 World Cup matches, the left-arm speedster snared 32 wickets. He was a key member of the 2020 T20 World Cup-winning Australian side in 2020 in the UAE, where he picked up nine wickets in the tournament.
“I have loved every minute of every T20 game I have played for Australia, particularly the 2021 World Cup, not just because we won but the incredible group and the fun along the way,” the speedster added.
Will Mitchell Starc play in IPL 2026 after retiring from T20Is?
While Starc has retired from T20Is, he is expected to be available for IPL 2026, the only T20 franchise league he could play. Since he will not play in the T20 World Cup 2026 in February-March, he will get plenty of time to rest and prepare for a busy year from thereon. Hence, Starc is expected to play in IPL 2026, though nothing with absolute certainty can be said right now.
After helping KKR win the IPL 2024 title, Mitchell Starc was bought by Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2025 mega auction for 11.75 crore. He played 11 matches for DC, picking up 14 scalps with a best of 5/35.
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