Aakash Chopra Criticizes Cricket Australia's Decision on Mitchell Starc's IPL 2026 Participation
Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has publicly expressed his confusion and concern over Cricket Australia's reported move to delay Mitchell Starc's availability for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. In a detailed analysis shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra questioned the rationale behind resting a player who is fully fit and has not engaged in competitive cricket for nearly two months.
Starc's Absence and Workload Management Concerns
Mitchell Starc, who was anticipated to lead the bowling attack for the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026, is now likely to miss the initial matches. This decision stems from Cricket Australia's workload management strategy, despite Starc having no recent match play since the 2025–26 Ashes series. Chopra highlighted the peculiar timing, noting that other Australian fast bowlers, such as Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, are already sidelined due to injuries.
"If Mitchell Starc is also not going to come at the start, what is Cricket Australia doing?" Chopra remarked in his video. "You didn't let Josh Hazlewood come, Pat Cummins isn't coming, and now you have held back Mitchell Starc, even though he is absolutely fit. He has already said goodbye to T20Is. So what has he done in the last two months or so?"
Questioning the Preservation for Test Series
Chopra pointed out that Starc has been inactive post-Ashes, yet Cricket Australia is opting to rest him in preparation for the upcoming five-Test series against India. He questioned the necessity of such early preservation, especially with the IPL scheduled just before the Test matches. "He hasn't played any cricket after the Ashes, but despite that, you have asked him to rest because a big Test season is coming up, in which there are five Test matches against India. That's just before the next IPL. Why are you doing that now?" he observed.
Implications for IPL Franchises
The former India batter suggested that IPL franchises may need to reconsider their strategies if players begin missing matches despite being fit, merely as a precautionary measure. This trend could disrupt team dynamics and planning, forcing franchises to adapt to unpredictable player availability.
Lockie Ferguson's Family-Related Absence
Chopra also addressed the case of Lockie Ferguson, who is reportedly set to miss the start of IPL 2026 to spend time with his family. Ferguson, acquired by Punjab Kings for ₹2 crore, might be absent for a significant portion of the tournament. Chopra emphasized that while family time is important, such extended absences could pose challenges for teams.
"He was available at the base price. He was bought for ₹2 crore. He is playing for New Zealand. Then he will go home and spend time with his family. It's not a bad thing. Don't judge anyone, but if you are leaving seven matches in the IPL after giving a commitment just because of that, then teams will have to realize that this is not right," Chopra noted.
Potential Shift Towards Partial Participation
Chopra added that there is a growing possibility of players opting for partial participation in tournaments like the IPL while receiving pro-rata payments. He clarified that he was not accusing anyone of deliberate actions but highlighted this as an emerging trend that could impact team compositions and league dynamics.
In summary, Aakash Chopra's critique sheds light on the complexities of player management in international cricket, urging stakeholders to balance workload concerns with commitments to franchise leagues like the IPL.
