Australian Legend Mitchell Starc Calls Time on T20Is; Main Focus on Tests & ODI World Cup

Aussie pace bowling legend Mitchell Starc has announced his retirement from T20Is. He made the call in a bid to extend his international career and focus on Tests and ODIs. Starc’s main focus is the upcoming Ashes series when England come to visit in a little over two-and-a-half months and then the ODI World Cup in 2027 in South Africa.

Mitchell Starc’s T20I Journey

The decision from Starc comes with less than months left for the next T20 World Cup in India. Starc last played a T20I against India in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup over 14 months back.

© X/ICC

The left-armer Starc made his T20I debut vs Pakistan in 2012 and finished with 79 wickets in 65 games at an economy rate of 7.74. He is Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker in the format. Since his T20I debut, he took part in five out of six T20 World Cups, missing only the 2016 edition due to injury. He was a key performer in the 2021 edition which Australia won.

"Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority. 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," Starc said in an official statement.

© X/ICC

"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.

"Mitch should be incredibly proud of his T20 career for Australia. He was an integral member of the 2021 World Cup winning side and, as across all his cricket, had a great skill for blowing games open with his wicket taking ability. We will acknowledge and celebrate his T20 career at the right time, but pleasingly he remains focused on continuing to play Test and ODI cricket for as long as possible," said George Bailey who is the chairman of selectors.

© X/ICC

Mitchell Starc’s Amazing Numbers in International Cricket

In Tests, Starc has played 100 games and taken 402 wickets. He helped Australia win the World Test Championship Final in 2023 and was part of the side that lost the 2025 edition. Starc was also part of the ODI teams that won the World Cup in 2015 and 2023. In 127 ODIs, Starc has 244 wickets. His international career has spanned nearly 14 years.

At 35, Starc can be around for another two to three years. Now that he is playing one format less, the strain will be even less. When he does finally pull the curtain down on his international career, he will have left behind a legacy that shall be a benchmark to future fast bowlers from Australia and other parts of the world.

Mitchell Starc Focussing on The Ashes and ODI World Cup

X/ICC

Mitchell Starc now will have his full focus on The Ashes that begins on November 21. He will not be playing in the T20Is vs New Zealand or India due to his retirement from the format. He also will look to be fit for the World Cup in ODIs that is in 2027. It would be a great way to end things if he could help Australia retain the title. 

Starc is bowling the best he has ever bowled and age has seen him only get better. At the moment, he is focussed on the Test series against England that starts in less than three months. So let's just sit back and enjoy him to what he does best and that is destroy the oppposition.