Australia has left fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood out of its limited overs squads for upcoming tours of Pakistan and Bangladesh later this month.
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Australia’s big three, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, will miss the early stages of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, with young pacer Josh Ellis also sidelined completely from the tournament due to injury.

The development was confirmed by cricket.com.au on Friday (March 20, 2026).

However, it is understood none of Australia’s ace speedsters, Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood will be available for their franchises when the IPL 2026 kickoff on March 28.

Cricket Australia (CA) is taking a precautionary approach with their veteran pacers as they are set to have a lengthy 12-month period, where they will play up to 21 matches, including crucial tours of South Africa, India and England, before defending their ODI World Cup crown in southern Africa in late 2027, the statement said.

The trio’s availability will depend on progress in their return to play protocols over the next few weeks.

Test captain Cummins played one Test match against England during the Ashes series last year due to a back stress injury, while Hazlewood was ruled out of the entire Ashes series due to hamstring and Achilles issues.The veteran pacers also missed the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Starc, on the other hand, played all five Ashes Tests and also featured in the Big Bash League. However, the left-arm pacer missed the T20 World Cup, having retired from T20Is late last year. Nathan Ellis has suffered a recurrence of the right hamstring injury he suffered in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup.

Also Read | IPL 2026: Rajasthan Royals keen to shield teenager Suryavanshi from the media glare

The 31-year-old recovered to feature in all four of Australia’s group-stage games, but Cricket Tasmania has confirmed he reaggravated his hamstring during last week’s One-Day Cup final in Hobart.

Cummins is the skipper of Sunrisers Hyderabad, whereas Mitchell Starc is with Delhi Capitals, and five-time champions Chennai Super Kings bought Nathan Ellis for the Indian Premier League 2026 season.In place of Cummins, the Hyderabad-based franchise has confirmed that India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan will be the stand-in skipper for the 2026 season.

Read | IPL 2026: Five possible overseas replacement players for CSK after Nathan Ellis’ injury

Australia selector Tony Dodemaide had said that Cummins and Hazlewood’s availability for the IPL purely was a “timing issue”.

“If it was in reverse, the IPL was first and the World Cup was second, then they’d be missing the IPL to play in the World Cup,” said Dodemaide.

“It’s not going to be frustrating for us at all. We know their commitment to want to play and succeed for Australia.”

Also Read | IPL | Kohli has a long stint as RCB begins training

Jack Edwards ruled out due to foot injury

Australia all-rounder Jack Edwards has also been ruled out of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 due to a foot injury, according to ESPNcricinfo on Friday.

The 25-year-old Edwards was signed by the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for ₹3 crore during the IPL auction. The Australian all-rounder was the only uncapped overseas player to be signed up at the 2025 auction.

Edwards made his T20I debut for Australia against Pakistan at Lahore in January 2026. The all-rounder has played just one match till now, scoring five runs.

In T20s, the 25-year-old has played 77 matches and 57 innings, scoring 853 runs and picking up 52 wickets.

Edwards had a strong Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 edition. He picked up 19 wickets and scored 133 runs in 13 matches for the Sydney Sixers. He has played two Sheffield Shield games for New South Wales, his state team, since then, the last of those fixtures getting over only on Thursday.

Read | IPL 2026 | Jayawardene eager to see Rohit’s ‘newer version’ in action

Edward’s absence is an additional blow for Sunrisers Hyderabad, who will be without their regular skipper Pat Cummins for the start of the IPL 2026 as he continues to recover from lumbar stress injury. The Hyderabad-based franchise has named India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan as the stand-in skipper.

Edwards’ injury is an extension of the list of injuries to Australian fast bowlers. Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Ellis, apart from Cummins, are also missing the IPL either partially or completely owing to injuries.

Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have announced the schedule of the first phase of IPL 2026 edition. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the tournament opener on March 28.

Also Read |IPL 2026 Countdown | Shreyas’ Kings have the resources to go one step further

The Hyderabad-based franchise will then face three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders on April 2, followed by their matches against Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings on April 5 and April 11, respectively. 

(With inputs from PTI)

Published – March 20, 2026 11:39 am IST

Australia’s T20 team captain Mitchell Marsh. File
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Australian coach Andrew McDonald and captain Pat Cummins with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney on January 5, 2025.
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A wide grin plastered on his face, Pat Cummins strode into the press-conference hall at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Sunday (January 5, 2025). Looking at the just concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, the Australian captain said: “It is a huge win. I felt it was kind of see-sawing throughout the whole series, so to finish it at 3-1 and to hold the trophy is an amazing feeling.”

Reflecting on the last few months, Cummins said: “We grew up watching Test cricket, loving it, so to be right in the mix, you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world for these couple of months.”

With Virat Kohli probably having played his last set of Tests in Australia, Cummins was quick to praise: “It has always been a wonderful contest (against him). More than just the runs that he brings to the game, it is also the debate he stirs, sometimes it can roil you as an opposition, which I am sure is part of his plans. It will be a shame if he doesn’t play any more Tests here.”

Asked about the turnaround after the loss in the first Test at Perth, Cummins said: “We always knew we had a good team. The message was to stay strong. To get the selections right.” The host skipper praised his team, especially key players like Scott Boland and debutant Beau Webster.

As for the imminent tour of Sri Lanka, Cummins hinted that he might skip as he is expecting his second child: “Becky’s (his wife) hanging on at the moment, so we will play it by ear. But I think, mostly I might struggle to get over there (Sri Lanka).”

Jasprit Bumrah reacts towards Australia’s Sam Konstas after dismissing Usman Khawaja during the fifth Test in Sydney.
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Sam Konstas has the shots and the words. The last attribute at times does land him in a soup. During Australia’s first innings in the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the opener exchanged words with Jasprit Bumrah, who was complaining about Usman Khawaja ‘wasting time’ before close of play.

The Indian spearhead dismissed Khawaja in the same over and he and most of his teammates ran towards Konstas to make their displeasure known. Australian coach Andrew McDonald found that intimidating while his rival counterpart Gautam Gambhir had his own take on the issue.

Speaking to the media on Sunday (January 5, 2025), Gambhir said: “It’s a tough sport played by tough men. It can’t be that soft. He (Konstas) had no right to be talking to Jasprit Bumrah when Usman Khawaja was taking time. He had no business to be involved with Bumrah. That was the job of the umpire and the guy, who was batting.”

Later when Pat Cummins was asked to react, he said: “Obviously the ICC and Andy Pycroft (match referee) set the rules and the punishments. We saw that in Melbourne with Virat (Kohli), 20 per cent (of match fee), that’s what they thought, so it doesn’t really matter what we think, they set the rules, so obviously that’s the standard they are happy with.”

Player of the Match Pat Cummins of Australia poses with the Mullagh Medal during day five of the fourth Test in the series between Australia and India at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 30, 2024
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Bagging crucial wickets and delivering critical runs, Pat Cummins has been in the thick of things. After winning the fourth Test against India, the Australian captain was all smiles during a chat with the media at the Melbourne Cricket Ground here on Monday (December 30, 2024) evening.

“I reckon this (victory) is right at the top. Yeah, Edgbaston (2023) was pretty special and I reckon this is pretty much on par,” Cummins said while reflecting on the latest triumph.

Asked about how he manages to contribute both as a batter and bowler, Cummins quickly deflected the attention: “One of the things I love about our group is that there are so many people who want to be the match winner. Today (Mitchell) Starkey, (Nathan) Lyon, (Scott) Boland and myself, were pumped for the day. Same with the batting group. We love playing at home, we love Tests and this was one of the bigger ones.”

Talking about the strategy for the final day, the host skipper explained: “Felt we needed atleast 300. We got 90 odd overs, and that gave us 12 overs potentially with the second new ball. We had a good first session and it kind of took the win out of the equation for them. We could really go in for the attack.”

Asked about Jasprit Bumrah, Cummins said: “He has been their most influential player. I thought all their bowlers bowled really well yesterday (Sunday). He in particular poses the biggest threat.”

The speedster also praised debutant Sam Konstas: “As a nineteen-year-old, the bravery he showed on the opening day, I felt it was unreal. He has that no-fear mindset, revs up the crowd and doesn’t shy away from any contest.” And as for plans for the next few days? “A mix of happiness and rest,” Cummins quipped.

Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne (L) inpects the wicket at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on December 25, 2024, ahead of the fourth cricket Test match between Australia and India starting December 26
| Photo Credit: AFP

Gurgling babies clinging to their mothers, children running with abandon, a group of women sitting on the grass and having a chat, and seasoned cricketers becoming all melting chocolate with their partners and off-spring, constituted a slice of utopia on Christmas Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). However, once Thursday (December 26, 2024) dawns, sport’s metaphor of a battle without guns will be on view as a packed venue witnesses the commencement of the fourth Test.

Pat Cummins and his men had a relaxed vibe on match-eve and as their families converged and they all got together for their annual Christmas lunch, cricket’s angst was temporarily kept at bay. The positivity was further reinforced when Travis Head, India’s nemesis so far in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, was declared fit for the contest. Head was grinning while sitting next to Marnus Labuschagne, and the latter played the chauffeur, and drove some of his teammates to the hotel.

The Indians, meanwhile, opted to rest but were also conscious about the series being at its tipping point at 1-1. The next fortnight that features two Tests will determine the outcome of a tussle that has acquired a distinct halo over the years even if it may not have the emotional resonance of the Ashes or the ones involving India and Pakistan.

Australia steps in with a comeback wind rustling through its ranks. Having put behind the Perth debacle, the host seized the Adelaide game and was holding the reins in Brisbane too before persistent rains and the Indian lower-order proved to be an insurmountable obstacle. But with mostly Head scoring the runs while Steve Smith and Labuschagne have belatedly joined the party, worries linger even if there are expectations over debutant Sam Konstas throwing some punches.

The bowling, though, has been incredible with Mitchell Starc and Cummins leading the way and even if Josh Hazlewood is out with injury, Scott Boland can be a handful as was evident in Adelaide. Countering this attack and piling on the runs is mandatory for Rohit Sharma’s men to prosper. So far, K.L. Rahul’s consistency and Bumrah’s potency have influenced India’s fortunes. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli scored tons at Perth but after that the two have been lukewarm, an attribute that has also derailed Shubman Gill, Rohit and Rishabh Pant.

Indian Test squad without Ashwin

This game at the MCG will mark a mini transition for the visitors. Rare is an Indian Test squad that does not have R. Ashwin. A regular presence since his debut against the West Indies in Delhi in 2011, the great off-spinner’s retirement after the third Test, marks the end of an era.

Washington Sundar and newly drafted Tanush Kotian get a chance to prove their mettle. Whether Ravindra Jadeja would be the lone spinner in the eleven or have company remains to be seen. A heat wave predicted for Thursday and a surface with its tinge of green would keep the rival captains mulling over their options at the toss.

The teams (from):

India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, K.L. Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dhruv Jurel (wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sarfaraz Khan, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna and Tanush Kotian.

Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Travis Head (vice-captain), Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wicket-keeper), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Sean Abbott, Jhye Richardson and Beau Webster.

Match officials: Umpires: Joel Wilson and Michael Gough; Third umpire: Saikat; Match referee: Andy Pycroft.

Match starts at 5 a.m. IST.

Australia’s captain Pat Cummins speaks during a press conference at the Optus Stadium in Perth on November 21, 2024, ahead of the first cricket Test between Australia and India.
| Photo Credit: AFP

There is a quiet confidence innate to Pat Cummins. Striding into the press conference hall wearing his worn-out baggy green cap at the Optus Stadium here on Thursday (November 21, 2024), the Australian skipper hoped that his men would wrest back the elusive Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

There were also moments when the brotherhood of fast bowlers was on view as he praised his counterpart, Jasprit Bumrah. Ahead of the first Test against India here on Friday (November 21, 2024), Cummins extensively spoke to the media.

Excerpts from the press conference:

The trophy that matters

“For about half in the change room, we haven’t won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, so it’s one of the last things to tick off. With every challenge that was thrown at us over the last few years, we have stepped up and done well. We know India is right up there with one of the best teams in the world, so we are excited.”

Fast bowling captains

“Yeah, it is great to see and should happen more. In the New Zealand series last year, it was good with Tim Southee as captain. I don’t think it really changes too much again, but it’s one of those rare things. So, yeah, looking forward to seeing how he (Bumrah) goes about his work out there. As a fan of fast bowling, it’s always good to see.”

A rather new-look Indian team

“We make plans for a whole squad. India has got a lot of depth. Most of us have played the IPL and seen how newcomers step up straight away. They are missing a couple of guys we are more familiar with, but we know whoever they pick is going to be good enough for Test cricket.”

Cummins, however, had some kind words about young all-rounder Nitish Reddy. The two turned out for IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad for which Cummins was the skipper. “Loved playing alongside Nitish. He is a great young guy starting out in his professional career. I am impressed with how he went about his work. He can swing the ball a little bit,” the Australian captain said.

The Indian Premier League’s auction at Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on November 24 and 25, drew some attention at the stadium. Asked if the auction could be a distraction during the first test, Cummins said: “I don’t think so. Most of the guys have been in auctions before. The reality is you can’t really do anything.”

Surface-tension

“The pitch looks good with an even coverage of grass. You know, it always looks really good here.”

Australia skipper Pat Cummins. File
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Australia captain Pat Cummins is expecting the upcoming series against India to be a survival of fittest as his team looks to avenge consecutive losses on home soil when the two nations go head-to-head over five tests from late November.

The latest series begins in Perth on Nov. 22 with the Australians attempting to overturn defeats to the Indians in 2018-19 and 2020-21, when India edged a four-test series 2-1 with a three-wicket win in the final clash in Brisbane.

“The couple of home series I’ve played against India there’s always an element of attrition to them,” said Cummins. “The last series came down to the last session at the Gabba on the last day of the last test match.

“That’s a good thing to keep in mind. It is a long series, and it might be tightly held until the last game, so you’ve got to manage your resources throughout.”

It is almost 10 years since the Australians last lifted the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and Cummins will go into the series well rested having missed his nation’s recent white ball tour of England and Scotland.

The Australians will be without fast bowler Cameron Green due to back surgery and Cummins, who had injury issues earlier in his career, is backing the 25-year-old to return to the team in the future.

“We want him bowling, Cam wants to be bowling, and he has a long career ahead of him,” said Cummins.

“It’s about trying to place Cam the cricketer in the best position he can be to have the career that he’s hoping for. He’s young, so I’m sure he’ll be right in the long run.”

Cummins’ management of his own workload means the 31-year-old is hoping he can continue to captain Australia for longer than originally intended, having set 2025 as his intended cut-off when he was handed the role three years ago.

“Maybe I can go a little bit longer than I first thought,” he said. “I feel like I can manage a lot more than what I did back then, just by getting better at it and having some wonderful people around that help as well.

“I’m not going to do it forever, but I wouldn’t say it’s imminent that I’m going to step away. (2027) is the big question, but it’s a long way away.”