IPL 2026: 'He is absolutely fit' – Chopra slams Cricket Australia over Starc absence

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has launched a scathing critique of Cricket Australia’s decision to keep pace spearhead Mitchell Starc out of the early phase of IPL 2026, arguing that resting a player who has not bowled a competitive delivery since the 2025-26 Ashes undermines both the tournament and the athlete himself.

Starc, who was slated to lead the Delhi Capitals attack, is now expected to miss the opening fixtures after being asked to stay home for workload management, even though he has been free of injury for nearly two months. With Josh Hazlewood already ruled out and Pat Cummins unavailable, Chopra questioned the rationale for withholding another frontline quick when Australia’s cupboard is suddenly bare.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra did not mince words. “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?”

The 47-year-old analyst highlighted the calendar gap between the Ashes finale and the upcoming five-Test series against India, arguing that an extended break now could leave Starc under-cooked rather than refreshed. “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?”

Chopra warned that franchises may soon need to reassess how they value player availability if international boards continue to pull fit stars out of the IPL as a precautionary measure. “Teams will have to realize that this is not right,” he said, suggesting that boards and franchises are on a collision course over scheduling priorities.

The discussion widened to include New Zealand quick Lockie Ferguson, who is reportedly set to skip the first seven games for Punjab Kings to spend time with family after being bought for ₹2 crore at base price. While acknowledging the legitimacy of personal time, Chopra cautioned that repeated partial commitments could encourage a trend of pro-rata deals. “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,” he noted, stressing that he was not accusing any player of deliberate opportunism.

With IPL 2026 looming, Chopra’s comments amplify a growing debate: how much control should national boards exert over fit players, and at what point do franchises demand full accountability for the millions they invest?