'Hasn't played any cricket after Ashes' - Aakash Chopra questions Mitchell Starc's IPL 2026 absence

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has called out Cricket Australia for their reported decision to hold back Mitchell Starc from the initial rounds of the IPL, citing concerns of workload management.

The left-arm fast-bowler was expected to lead the Delhi Capitals bowling attack but is now slated to miss the initial few games. He joins the long list of Australian fast bowlers, who will miss a part or the entirety of the 2026 IPL. Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, nursing separate fitness issues, will miss the initial rounds, while Nathan Ellis and Jack Edwards have been ruled out entirely, owing to a hamstring and foot issue respectively.

Chopra has bluntly questioned Cricket Australia’s plan, as they rest their premier fast bowlers ahead of a gruelling 12-months of cricket after the IPL.

"If Mitchell Starc is also not going to come at the start, what is Cricket Australia doing? 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?" he said, speaking on his YouTube Channel.

Starc, who announced his retirement from the shortest format, last played in the 2025-26 Men’s Ashes. Playing all five Tests, his 31 wickets helped Australia blow England away, and retain the Ashes with a dominating 4-1 series win. Starc was named Player-of-the-Series for his exploits.

Chopra mentioned that Starc, not having played cricket after the Ashes, is being rested for a Test schedule, which includes a five-test series in India, slated to occur before the next year’s IPL.

"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.

Australia have a packed schedule after the end of the IPL. With three landmark away series, against South Africa, India and England, before defending their ODI World Cup crown in late 2027, they would want their star pace trio fit and firing for these assignments.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Capitals start their IPL 2026 campaign on April 1, against the Lucknow Super Giants, at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.