Mitchell Starc Announces Retirement From T20Is To Focus On Tests And 2027 ODI World Cup

Mitchell Starc has retired from T20 Internationals to concentrate on Australia’s busy Test calendar from mid-2026 and the 2027 ODI World Cup. The left-arm quick, a key member of Australia’s 2021 T20 World Cup-winning squad, ends with 65 T20Is and 79 wickets, while staying fully committed to Test and ODI cricket.

Starc, 35, last played a T20I at the 2024 World Cup in the Caribbean. With India and Sri Lanka set to co-host the next edition in 2026, this is a proactive call to keep his body fresh for marquee red-ball assignments: a home Test season against Bangladesh, tours of South Africa and New Zealand, a five-Test away series in India in early 2027, an MCG 150th-anniversary Test versus England, and an away Ashes later that year. The ODI World Cup in October–November 2027 (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia) is the end goal Starc has openly prioritised.

This means no Starc in upcoming T20I contests, but plenty of Starc in whites—and in 50-over cricket—when India and Australia cross paths over the next two years. It also nudges Australia to rebalance their T20 attack. Chair of selectors George Bailey has admitted there’s no like-for-like for a 145 kph new-ball swinger who nails yorkers at the death. Instead, expect role shifts and a committee approach: Nathan Ellis’s variation and death skills, Josh Hazlewood’s control, plus chances for Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, and Xavier Bartlett. Adam Zampa remains the frontline spinner, with Glenn Maxwell offering match-up spin and batting flexibility.

Starc’s statement underlined what matters most to him now: Test cricket remains the pinnacle, and the 2027 ODI title defence is a clear target. The upside for Australia is clarity. With Starc stepping aside in T20Is now, the pace unit gets an entire cycle—New Zealand away in October, five home T20Is against India soon after, the BBL window, and a short Pakistan tune-up—to build cohesion before the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Australia T20I Squad Vs New Zealand

Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.

Australia Upcoming T20I Schedule