What will T20 World Cup be like without Starc? Know the real reason behind this surprising decision of Australia

News India Live, Digital Desk: The beginning of the year 2026 and the atmosphere of the T20 World Cup is just icing on the cake! But the news that came from Australia has made not only Kangaroos but cricket fans all over the world a little disappointed. Mitchell Starc, one of the most dangerous left-arm fast bowlers in the world, will not be a part of the Australian team for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. What is the real reason for his exclusion from the team? If seen, there is not just one but many big links behind this decision. The first and most important thing is ‘Workload Management’. By the year 2026, Stark will be 36 years old. This stage of age is very difficult for fast bowlers. The Australian Cricket Board has made it clear that they do not want to take any risk regarding Starc’s fitness, especially when big series like the World Test Championship (WTC) and Ashes are in the pipeline. Is this the beginning of saying goodbye to T20 cricket? There is also a murmur in the cricket circles whether Starc is now gradually breaking his ties with the shorter format. We all know that Starc is known for his brilliant yorkers and early swing. But in recent times, Australia has been trying to reduce the generation gap in its bowling unit. Giving opportunities to young faces like Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson is part of the board’s long-term plan. The management wants them to keep their next crop ready for the times to come. Battle of experience versus youth. However, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have been kept in the team because their play is necessary for a balanced attack. But Starc’s absence will definitely create a ‘void’ in the team’s attack. The variety that a left-arm pacer brings to a big tournament like the World Cup is not easy to fill. Ultimately, this is not just a cricketing decision, but a ‘try step’. Starc is a champion player and has single-handedly won many matches for Australia over the years. But today, i.e. in 2026, the pace of the game has become so fast that sometimes even the most experienced players have to face ‘difficult decisions’. Even though we will not see Starc on the field of World Cup 2026, it is expected that he will maintain the same pace and terror in red ball and ODI cricket. How do you view this decision? Will Australia be able to lift the trophy again without Starc?