• Source:JND
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Mitchell Starc Retirement: Australia's star pacer, Mitchell Starc, has shown his commitment to the longest format and ODIs after announcing his retirement from T20Is. Starc, who is considered one of the best bowlers of the modern era, announced a shock retirement from T20Is on Tuesday, just a few months before the 2026 T20 World Cup, which would be held in India and Sri Lanka.

Starc last represented Australia in this format during the 2024 T20 World Cup match against India in Gros Islet. He had also played for Delhi Capitals during IPL 2025, and just last year, he made a comeback to the cash-rich league after nine years.

Many opined that Starc would also join the modern trend of playing franchise T20 cricket instead of representing the country in longer formats, but the veteran has shown his commitment towards the longest format and ODI ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.

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“Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority. Looking ahead to an away tour of India, the Ashes, and the 2027 ODI World Cup, I feel this is the best way for me to remain fresh, fit, and at my peak for those campaigns,” he said on Tuesday.

He had played a huge role in helping Australia win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in 10 years.

He is on the verge of becoming just the fourth Australian, besides Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, and Glenn McGrath, to have won three ODI World Cup titles. He did play a huge role in helping Australia win the 2015 ODI World Cup in their backyard and had performed brilliantly yet again during the 2023 ODI World Cup summit clash against India.

Also Read: Mitchell Starc Retirement: Australian Pacer Retires From T20Is To Focus On Tests, 2027 ODI World Cup

George Bailey, who is Australia's chief selector, was seen praising Starc and calling him one of the best players of the shortest format, and also accepted his commitment to Tests and ODIs.

“We will acknowledge and celebrate his T20 career at the appropriate time, but it is pleasing that he remains focused on continuing to play Test and ODI cricket for as long as possible,” Bailet revealed.

WHAT NEXT FOR AUSTRALIA IN T20Is

Starc announced his retirement at the exact time when Australia revealed their T20I team for the three-match series against New Zealand, which will help them to prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

“It also allows the bowling unit time to prepare thoroughly for the T20 World Cup in the matches leading into that competition,” he said.

At the same time, Starc's fellow teammates Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood would be representing the country in all formats. They had also participated in the IPL 2025 and are expected to play a huge role during the upcoming Ashes Test series, which would be held later this year in Perth.

Australia has also included Marcus Stoinis in their T20I team, just a few months after he announced his retirement from the 50-over format. Stoninis had to give up his central contract so that he could prioritize T20 franchise cricket, but his comeback to Australia's T20I side has only bolstered their preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup. It remains to be seen whether Cummins, who would be giving this series a miss, would be a part of the T20I team in the future.