In a big news in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup next year, Australia’s pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has announced his retirement from T20 Internationals, bringing an end to a storied chapter in his white-ball career.
The announcement has raised new discussions throughout the cricketing universe and one avid question among IPL fans – Will Starc feature in IPL 2026?
The left-arm paceman, famous for his scorching pace and target yorkers, asserted that Test cricket will always be his first concern, especially with big-ticket red-ball series looming such as the Ashes at home and an exhausting Test tour of India.
“Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority,” said Starc. “I have loved every minute of every T20 game I’ve played for Australia, particularly the 2021 World Cup. but it’s time to focus on red-ball cricket.”
T20I Retirement, But IPL Still on the Table
Significantly, however, Starc has only retired from international T20s, so participation in franchise T20 leagues, such as the IPL, remains an open door. Currently, he is under contract to the Delhi Capitals, for whom he had a respectable tenure during the 2025 season – taking 14 wickets from 11 games at 26.
Fans will remember that Starc was the priciest player in IPL 2024, signing with Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 24.75 crore, although he subsequently joined Delhi. Although his IPL career has been intermittent – only four seasons and 52 matches in total – Starc has always pulled weight when fit.
Managing IPL alongside Red-Ball Obligations
The actual task now for Starc is to balance workload. Australia’s 2026 Test schedule is loaded, beginning with a heavyweight five-Test Ashes series at home against England, followed by a hotly contested three-Test ODI series against India. More importantly, the early part of 2026 is likely to include a showcase Test tour of India, a series that Starc will not be missing.
With the IPL historically between March and May, and a Test series in India likely to conflict or overlap, naturally questions are raised about his availability.
All that being said, Starc has been more receptive in recent years to coming in for the IPL, particularly with the financial magnitude and level of competition involved in the tournament. If the schedule allows even a window of partial availability, franchises would leap at the chance to have him.
Starc’s IPL 2026 Prospects: What’s Likely?
- Retired only from T20Is, not franchise cricket
- Still contracted with Delhi Capitals
- Had a good IPL season in 2025 (14 wickets in 11 games)
- No word from the powers that be to exclude playing IPL in 2026
- Test commitments vs IPL calendar is the main issue
Will Mitchell Starc feature in IPL 2026, then? At this point, all indications are that he will, as long as the dates suit his red-ball commitments. Though a decision will hinge on Australia’s Test schedule and his fitness, Starc is likely to take part in the IPL, with fans and franchises eagerly awaiting the chance of one of world cricket’s top pacers returning to illuminate the tournament again.
One thing is for sure: whether it’s the white ball in reds or the red ball in coloured attire, Mitchell Starc’s passion remains hot as ever.