Mitchell Starc, one of Australia’s most lethal left-arm fast bowlers, has officially retired from T20 International cricket. With 65 matches and 79 wickets to his name, Starc steps away from the shortest international format to preserve his longevity in Test and ODI cricket, including a key eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup. His emphasis remains on Tests—“Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority.”
Career Highlights & Last Match
- T20I Span: 2012–2024
- Last T20I Match: June 24, 2024, against India in St. Lucia—he conceded 45 runs in his four overs.
- Starc’s final chapter in T20Is wraps up just ahead of the 2026 World Cup set to be hosted in India and Sri Lanka.
Mitchell Starc Career Statistics
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20Is | 65 | 79 | 4 / 20 | 23.81 | 7.74 | 18.4 |
| Tests (overall) | 100 | 402 | 6 / 9 | ~27.02 | ~3.41 | ~47.4 |
| ODIs | 127 | 244 | 6 / 28 | ~23.40 | ~5.26 | ~26.6 |
Noteworthy records:
- 3rd most runs in Tests without a century (2,322).
- 5th best bowling figures in an innings for Australia (6/9).
- One of the fastest to reach 200 ODI wickets (102 matches).
- In T20Is, second—behind Adam Zampa—in Australia’s overall wicket tally (79).
- In combined formats, 4th most wickets taken bowled (217).
Top Records & Rankings
Across All Formats
- Tests:
- 3rd highest career runs without a century.
- Best single-innings bowling performance: 6/9.
- 4th most wickets bowled across formats.
- ODIs:
- 1st for fastest to 200 wickets.
- 8th best strike rate (26.6).
- 7th most “bowled” dismissals (90).
- T20Is:
- 6th most runs without a hundred (~2,997).
- 17th most “bowled” dismissals (31).
- 2nd most “hit wicket” dismissals in T20Is (1), showing often a bowler’s trick to induce a wrong-footed dismissal.
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Salary & IPL History
Mitchell Starc’s IPL journey saw massive bids and returns:
- 2024 IPL Auction: Became the most expensive player in IPL history at that time—INR 24.75 crore (~USD 2.98 million) for Kolkata Knight Riders.
- 2025 IPL Auction: Bought by Delhi Capitals for INR 11.75 crore.
He continues to remain a fixture in domestic T20 leagues, even as he ends his T20I career.
Why Retire from T20Is Now?
- Focus on Test & ODI formats: Starc wants to stay fresh and fit to contribute strongly in upcoming home and overseas series—India tour, The Ashes, and the 2027 ODI World Cup.
- Give room for future T20I squad depth: His retirement allows younger pacers to gain experience ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, creating a smoother rebuild of the T20I attack.
- Extensive future Test schedule: Australia’s heavy Test calendar from late 2026 through 2027 influenced his decision, including series across South Asia and the high-profile 150th-anniversary match at the MCG.
Praise & Legacy in T20I
Selectors and teammates lauded Starc’s T20I career:
- George Bailey (Chief Selector): Called him “integral” to the 2021 T20 World Cup triumph and praised his wicket-taking prowess across all formats.
- Starc’s own reflection: He fondly recalls the 2021 World Cup not just for the victory, but for the camaraderie and “fun along the way.”
His legacy includes being one of the most feared new-ball bowlers and delivering in death overs consistently.
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What Lies Ahead
- Test Cricket: Remains Starc’s top priority. Aiming to extend his career in the longest format.
- ODIs: With the 2027 World Cup in sight, he could join legends like Ponting, Gilchrist, and McGrath as a potential three-time World Cup winner.
- T20 Leagues: He’s still active on the franchise circuit, balancing workload while maintaining high performance levels.
Starc’s T20I Summery
- Matches: 65
- Wickets: 79
- Best Figures: 4 / 20
- Economy: 7.74
- Average: 23.81
- Strike Rate: 18.4
- Role: New-ball swinger, with lethal yorkers and sharp death bowling.
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Mitchell Starc’s T20I retirement marks the end of an electric chapter in his career—but opens another. His unmatched pace, swing, and ability to change games will remain etched in Australian cricket history. As he shifts focus, fans anticipate inspiring performances in Tests, ODIs, and domestic leagues, backed by a legacy of one of Australia’s premier pacers across all formats.
