Star Australia pacer Mitchell Starc could miss the forthcoming season of the Indian Premier League 2027. As per reports, Starc is yet to take his decision on the participation in the cash-rich league considering
Australia’s demanding Test schedule. Sources suggest that the calendar of Australia’s red-ball cricket will play a major role in his decision.
Starc has always kept Test cricket as his priority, and has turned down several opportunities due to the same. The Aussie bowler returned to Indian Premier League in 2024 after staying away for several years and has played for teams such as Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals. As per the latest reports from CODE Sports, the 36-year-old is yet to make his mind as to if he will appear in the forthcoming season or not.
🚨 STARC UNSURE ABOUT HIS IPL RETURN. 🚨
– Mitchell Starc yet to decide on whether to return for IPL 2027 or take a rest ahead of the Ashes.
The IPL could clash with the 150th anniversary of Test cricket. (Code Sports). https://t.co/mYVOgVoj8L
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 15, 2026
Mitchell Starc may miss IPL 2027 as tight Australian Test schedule looms
Per the aforementioned source, Mitchell Starc is yet to make a final call on his participation in the upcoming edition of the league. He is a part of the Delhi Capitals, the team that recently appointed Sourav Ganguly as their head coach. His final decision will now depend on how he balances franchise cricket with the Test format requirements.
In 2027, the Baggy Greens are expected to have a packed schedule which would include the conclusion of their home series against New Zealand, a 5-Test Tour to India, a one-off home Test against England as well as the Ashes in the UK. As for Starc, the unlimited format has played a defining role in his career.
He has played 30 consecutive Tests since the 2023 Lord’s Test, maintaining his spot in Australia’s pace attack while fellow pacers including Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have dealt with injuries and workload management. Previously, Starc has sacrificed an estimated US$10 million or more in potential franchise earnings as he stayed away from the IPL between 2016 and 2023.
While a packed Test schedule has already raised concerns over participation of Australian stars in the IPL, things could get tighter if Australia qualify for the World Test Championship final, which is scheduled for June 9 to 13 at The Oval. Starc, on the other hand, has played 58 IPL games while claiming 76 wickets with best bowling figures of 5/35, and a bowling average of 22.72 and an economy rate of 8.78. In the 2026 season, he picked 11 wickets in six games, with best figures of 4/40.
