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Mitchell Starc Announces Retirement From T20Is Ahead Of World Cup 2026

Rajgeeta Yadav

Mitchell Starc announces retirement from T20Is [Source: AFP/]Mitchell Starc announces retirement from T20Is [Source: AFP/]

Australia star pacer Mitchell Starc has announced retirement from T20 international on Tuesday, September 2. The 35-year-old wants to focus on Test matches and one-day internationals (ODIs) as he looks to play in the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.

Mitchell Starc Steps Away From T20Is

Starc said Test cricket will always be his number one priority. He believes stepping away from T20Is will help him stay fit and fresh for big tournaments like the Ashes, India tours, and the next ODI World Cup.

"Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority," Starc said in a statement. "I have loved every minute of every T20 game I have played for Australia, particularly the 2021 World Cup, not just because we won but the incredible group and the fun along the way.” 

"Looking ahead to an away Indian Test tour, the Ashes and an ODI World Cup in 2027, I feel this is my best way forward to remain fresh, fit and at my best for those campaigns. It also gives the bowling group time to prepare for the T20 World Cup in the matches leading into that tournament, " he added.

A Look At Starc’s T20I Achievements

Notably, Starc has played 65 T20 internationals since his debut in 2012, taking 79 wickets with an economy rate of 7.74. His best bowling figures were 4/20 against the West Indies in 2022. He was part of Australia’s only T20 World Cup-winning team in 2021 and retires as the country’s second-highest wicket-taker in the format, behind leg-spinner Adam Zampa.

Although he won’t play international T20Is anymore, Starc is expected to continue in franchise cricket like Indian Premier League (IPL), where he has played for teams such as Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals.

With Starc stepping away, Australia will now have to rebuild its T20 bowling attack ahead of the next T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February 2026.