Star Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc will miss the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. According to cricket.com.au, Starc has joined Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins on the list of Australian players
who will not feature in the initial few matches of the IPL this year.
“Cricket Australia is taking a cautious approach with their star multi-format bowlers given what lies ahead: from August, the Test side will play up to 21 matches in a 12-month period, including legacy-defining tours of South Africa, India and England, before defending their ODI World Cup crown in Southern Africa in late 2027. The trio’s availability will depend on progress in their return to play protocols over the next few weeks,” the report stated.
Starc played all five matches for Australia in the 2025-26 Ashes series. As per the available information, he is being carefully managed, having bowled more balls in Test cricket than any other pacer in the last 12 months
