Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins, who is out of action these days, was on Thursday (January 1) included in Australia’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 along with RCB stars Josh Hazlewood and Tim
David, who, like Cummins, are also out of action due to injury-related issues. While Hazlewood hasn’t played for the Aussies since featuring in the second T20I of the home series against India at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 31, 2025, David suffered an injury while playing in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL).
In the 15-member squad picked for the 20-team tournament starting February 7, the Cricket Australia selectors have included Punjab Kings’ IPL 2026 auction signing Cooper Connolly along with Matthew Kuhnemann.
All-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who won the Player Of The Match award in the final of the 2021 T20 World Cup that Australia won by defeating Trans-Tasman rival New Zealand in Dubai, will captain the Australian team in the T20 World Cup 2026, and the squad also includes the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Travis Head, Adam Zampa, Josh Inglis and Cameron Green, among others.
Legendary left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc, who is leading Australia’s pace attack in the 2025-26 Ashes series against England, retired from T20Is last year, and that is why he was not included, but fast-bowling all-rounder Ben Dwarshuis was the notable absentee.
Introducing our squad for next month’s #T20WorldCup in India and Sri Lanka! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mtlxGRrdCC
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) January 1, 2026
“The T20 side has enjoyed a long run of recent success which enabled the panel to choose a balance of players across the variety of conditions Sri Lanka and India may present,” Australia’s chief selector George Bailey said.
“Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Tim David are tracking well and we are confident they will be available for the World Cup.”
“This is a preliminary squad so should changes need to be made they will ahead of the support period,” he added.
Australia squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Mitchell Marsh (C), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (WK), Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Australia to start campaign against Ireland
In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, 2021 champions Australia will open their campaign on February 11 at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo against Ireland and then take on Zimbabwe at the same venue on February 13. Australia’s third Group B match is scheduled against co-hosts Sri Lanka at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on February 16, and in their last group match, they will face Oman at the same venue on February 20.
In the 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup, Australia suffered a shocking defeat in their Super 8s match against Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan and then also went down against India.
