Delhi Capitals’ Mitchell Starc (PTI Photo) Aakash Chopra has expressed concern over Cricket Australia’s reported decision to delay Mitchell Starc’s availability for IPL 2026, questioning the logic of resting a fully fit player.Starc, who was expected to lead the bowling attack for Delhi Capitals, is likely to miss the opening matches due to workload management despite not having played any competitive cricket for nearly two months.
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IPL 2026 should be an audition for India’s next T20I captain In a video on his YouTube channel, Chopra expressed his confusion over the move, especially with other Australian quicks like Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins already sidelined due to injuries.“If Mitchell Starc doesn’t come to start as well, what does Cricket Australia do? You didn’t let Josh Hazlewood come, Pat Cummins doesn’t come and now you’ve retained Mitchell Starc even though he’s absolutely fit. He’s already said goodbye to T20Is. So what has he been doing in the last two months or so?” he said.Chopra pointed out that Starc has not featured in a match since the 2025-26 Ashes and questioned the need to retain him so early for the upcoming five-Test series against India.“He hasn’t played any cricket since the Ashes, but you still asked him to rest because the big Test season is coming up, with five Test matches against India. That’s just before the next IPL. Why are you doing this now?” observed.The former India batsman also hinted that franchises may have to rethink their stance soon if players start missing IPL matches despite being fit simply as a precautionary measure.Chopra also spoke about Lockie Ferguson reportedly missing the start of IPL 2026 to spend time with his family.“I’m thinking about Lockie Ferguson, and that’s serious. I don’t know if he’s injured or not, but from what I’ve read, he’s not available for seven games. He says he wants to spend some time with his family,” he said.Ferguson, who will represent the Punjab Kings after being picked for ₹2 crore, could miss a significant part of the tournament, something Chopra said the franchises will have to take seriously.“He was available at a base price. He was bought for ₹ 2 crore. He is playing for New Zealand. Then he will come home and spend time with his family. It is not bad. Don’t judge anyone, but if you leave seven matches in the IPL after you have committed just for that, then the teams will have to realize that it is not right,” observed Chopra.Chopra added that there was an increasing possibility of players opting to participate in part while earning pro-rated payments, though he clarified that he was not accusing anyone of deliberate action.
