Australian Pace Attack Faces IPL Absence: What This Means for Their Teams

The upcoming IPL season will see a significant absence of key Australian pacers, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. Their unavailability poses challenges for their respective franchises as Cricket Australia prioritizes their health ahead of a busy international schedule. With tours to South Africa, India, and England on the horizon, the focus remains on their recovery. This article delves into the implications of their absence and what it means for the teams involved. Read on to find out more about the impact on the IPL and the players' future commitments.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 20, 2026, 12:48 IST

Key Australian Bowlers to Miss IPL Season Start

Melbourne: The upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will see four prominent Australian fast bowlers, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, sidelined at the beginning, posing a challenge for their teams.

Reports indicate that Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood will not participate in the initial matches of the IPL, while Nathan Ellis is expected to miss the entire tournament.

Cricket Australia (CA) is reportedly adopting a careful strategy with their pace bowlers, especially with a demanding schedule approaching in August that features 21 Test matches over the next year.

Australia's cricketing calendar includes tours to South Africa, India, and England, culminating in their defense of the ODI World Cup title in 2027.

The availability of the three bowlers will hinge on their recovery progress in the coming weeks, according to the report.

Cummins, who serves as the Test captain, participated in only one Test last summer due to a back stress injury, while Hazlewood was absent from the entire series due to hamstring and Achilles problems.

Both players also missed the T20 World Cup.

Starc, on the other hand, played all five Tests during the Ashes and participated in the latter part of the Big Bash League, but opted out of the T20 World Cup after retiring from that format.

Australia's selector, Tony Dodemaide, mentioned that the timing of the IPL and the World Cup is a significant factor in their availability.

"If the IPL were first and the World Cup second, they would be prioritizing the World Cup over the IPL," Dodemaide explained.

"We are not frustrated at all; we understand their dedication to representing Australia and achieving success."

Cummins leads the Sunrisers Hyderabad, while Starc is with the Delhi Capitals and Hazlewood plays for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.