Australia’s top pacers—Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc—are expected to miss the beginning of the 2026 Indian Premier League, which will be an early blow to their respective teams.
According to a report in cricket.com.au, Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood will miss at least the beginning of IPL 2026, while Nathan Ellis is completely excluded from the T20 competition.
According to the report, Cricket Australia (CA) is being cautious with their pacers ahead of a hectic schedule that starts in August and consists of 21 Test matches over a 12-month span.
Before defending their ODI World Cup title in 2027, Australia will tour South Africa, India, and England.
“The trio’s availability will depend on progress in their return to play protocols over the next few weeks,” the report said.
Test skipper Cummins only played in one Ashes Test last summer because to a back stress injury, while Hazlewood missed the entire series because of hamstring and Achilles problems. The duo also missed the T20 World Cup.
Starc played in all five Ashes Tests and the Big Bash League back end and, however he did not play in the T20 World Cup because he has retired from the format.
Cummins and Hazlewood’s availability for the IPL was solely a “timing issue,” according to Australia selector Tony Dodemaide.
“If it was in reverse, the IPL was first and the World Cup was second, then they’d be missing the IPL to play in the World Cup. It’s not going to be frustrating for us at all. We know their commitment to want to play and succeed for Australia,” said Dodemaide.
Starc play for Delhi Capitals, while Cummins is the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad and Hazlewood plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Due to a foot injury, Australian all-rounder Jack Edwards will also miss the upcoming IPL. Sunrisers Hyderabad paid Rs 3 crore for the 25-year-old seam bowling all-rounder. At the 2026 IPL auction in December, he was the only uncapped overseas player.
With 19 wickets and 133 runs in 13 games for the Sydney Sixers, Edwards had a great BBL 2025–26 season. He made his international debut in a T20I match against Pakistan in Perth.
RCB will play SRH in the first match of the IPL on March 28 in Bengaluru.
