Star Aussie pacers to miss start of IPL: Report

Four leading Australian pacers, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, are set to miss the start of the upcoming Indian Premier League season later this month, dealing an early setback to their respective franchises.

According to a report in cricket.com.au, Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood will miss at least the start of IPL while Nathan Ellis is set to be ruled out of the tournament completely.

The report said Cricket Australia (CA) is taking a cautious approach with their pacers ahead a busy schedule from August that includes 21 Test matches in a 12-month period. Australia will tour South Africa, India and England before defending the ODI World Cup title in 2027. “The trio’s availability will depend on progress in their return to play protocols over the next few weeks,” the report said.

Test captain Cummins has featured in only one Test last summer due to a back stress injury, while Hazlewood missed the entire series due to hamstring and Achilles issues.

The duo also missed the T20 World Cup.

Starc played all five Ashes Tests and the back-end of the Big Bash League, but not the T20 World Cup as he has retired from the format.

Australia selector Tony Dodemaide had said that Cummins and Hazlewood’s availability for the IPL purely was a “timing issue”.

“If it was in reverse, the IPL was first and the World Cup was second, then they’d be missing the IPL to play in the World Cup,” said Dodemaide.

“It’s not going to be frustrating for us at all. We know their commitment to want to play and succeed for Australia.”

Cummins is the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad, while Starc plays for Delhi Capitals and Hazlewood for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

SRH’s Jack Edwards also out with injury: Australian all-rounder Jack Edwards has also been ruled out of the upcoming IPL with a foot injury. The 25-year-old seam-bowling all-rounder was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for Rs 3 crore.

He was the only uncapped overseas player to be signed up at the 2025 IPL auction.

Edwards had a strong BBL 2025-26 season, picking up 19 wickets and amassing 133 runs in 13 games for Sydney Sixers.

He made his international debut in a T20I against Pakistan in Perth.

The IPL begins on March 28 in Bengaluru with RCB taking on SRH in the opener.