Mitchell Starc joins Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, set for delayed IPL 2026 start

Mitchell Starc has joined Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in having a delayed start to the upcoming IPL 2026 season. The decision was made as Cricket Australia look to manage the workload of their big three pacers ahead of a packed international schedule.

Mitchell Starc has joined Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in having delayed starts to IPL 2026 as Cricket Australia look to manage the workload of the big three pacers ahead of a packed international schedule. The update, provided by cricket.com.au on Friday, March 20, comes after it was revealed that Nathan Ellis has been ruled out of the upcoming season following the recurrence of a hamstring injury that he had in the build-up to the T20 World Cup 2026. Cummins has been away from international cricket for a considerable period, with his last appearance coming in December 2025 against England at the Adelaide Oval, where he claimed three wickets in both innings. The SRH skipper was also ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026 due to injury and has since been focused on regaining full fitness. Hazlewood has followed a similar trajectory, having been sidelined with injury over the past few months. The Australian quick last featured in competitive cricket in November 2025 for New South Wales and went on to miss both the Ashes and the T20 World Cup 2026.Starc played all five Ashes Tests and the latter portion of the Big Bash League with Sydney Sixers. He didn't play the T20 World Cup after having retired from the format. However, Starc is being managed by Cricket Australia after having bowled more balls in Test cricket than any other paceman over the course of the last 12 months, barring Mohammed Siraj. CA BEING CAUTIOUS WITH STARC, CUMMINS, HAZLEWOOD

Cummins has been away from international cricket for a considerable period, with his last appearance coming in December 2025 against England at the Adelaide Oval, where he claimed three wickets in both innings. The SRH skipper was also ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026 due to injury and has since been focused on regaining full fitness.

Hazlewood has followed a similar trajectory, having been sidelined with injury over the past few months. The Australian quick last featured in competitive cricket in November 2025 for New South Wales and went on to miss both the Ashes and the T20 World Cup 2026.

Starc played all five Ashes Tests and the latter portion of the Big Bash League with Sydney Sixers. He didn't play the T20 World Cup after having retired from the format. However, Starc is being managed by Cricket Australia after having bowled more balls in Test cricket than any other paceman over the course of the last 12 months, barring Mohammed Siraj.

Cricket Australia have decided to opt for a cautious approach with the big three pacers, keeping in mind a hectic schedule for next year. From the start of August, the Australian Test team is set to play 21 matches in a 12-month time period, including tours of South Africa, India and then a summer Ashes.

This will be followed by the Aussies' defence of their ODI World Cup crown late in 2027, where Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins are expected to play a big role. The trio's return to the IPL will depend on the progress they will make in their return to play protocols over the next few weeks.