Image Credit: BCCI
Mitchell Starc Retires from T20Is to Focus on Tests and ODI World Cup
Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has announced his retirement from international T20 cricket. He has not featured in a T20I since the 2024 World Cup and finishes with 79 wickets in 65 matches, making him Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker in the format after Adam Zampa. His decision comes just months before the next T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in 2026.
Prioritising Longer Formats
Starc explained that his focus will now be on Test cricket and the ODI format. He described Test cricket as his “highest priority” and said stepping away from T20Is will help him stay “fresh, fit, and at my best” for the coming years. Key assignments ahead include the away Test tour of India, the Ashes in England, and preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Legacy and Impact on Australian Cricket
Starc played a crucial role in Australia’s 2021 T20 World Cup triumph, remembered for his fiery spells and big-match temperament. Cricket Australia hailed his contribution, adding that his retirement will also allow younger bowlers to step up in the T20 format. His exit closes a significant chapter in Australia’s white-ball cricket, while reinforcing his commitment to Tests and ODIs.
