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Australia's Pace Trio to Miss IPL 2026 Start; Ellis Ruled Out Entirely

Australia's premier fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood will miss the initial phase of the IPL 2026 season as Cricket Australia manages their workload ahead of a congested international schedule. Pacer Nathan Ellis has been completely ruled out of the tournament after re-aggravating a right hamstring injury. The decision is precautionary, with the trio's return dependent on their progress through rehabilitation protocols. In Cummins's absence, Sunrisers Hyderabad have appointed Ishan Kishan as their stand-in captain for the season.

Key Points: Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood to Miss Early IPL 2026 Matches

  • Big three Aussie pacers unavailable for IPL start
  • Nathan Ellis ruled out of entire season with hamstring injury
  • CA managing workload ahead of packed schedule
  • Ishan Kishan named stand-in captain for Sunrisers Hyderabad
2 min read

Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood to miss early IPL 2026; Ellis injured

Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood will be absent from the IPL's opening stages, while Nathan Ellis is out of the entire 2026 tournament due to injury.

"Cricket Australia is taking a precautionary approach with their veteran pacers - cricket.com.au"

New Delhi, March 20

Australia's big three, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, will miss the early stages of the Indian Premier League 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. 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.

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.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan, player health should come first. A packed 12-month schedule is insane. CA is right to protect their assets, even if it's disappointing for IPL fans. Hope they recover well.
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Ananya R
Feel so bad for Nathan Ellis! To get injured again after fighting back for the World Cup... CSK fans were really looking forward to seeing him. Wishing him a speedy recovery. 🤞
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Vikram M
This is why IPL franchises need to invest more in Indian pace bowling talent. We can't always rely on foreign players who have national team commitments. A good opportunity for Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh types to step up!
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Michael C
Respectfully, while I understand CA's position, it feels a bit unfair to the franchises who paid big money. The auction should have clearer availability clauses. The IPL is a major tournament too, not just a warm-up.
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Priya S
Ishan Kishan as captain for SRH? Wow, that's a bold and exciting move! He's been in great form. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise – we get to see new Indian leaders emerge. Can't wait for the season!

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