Australia’s exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has surprised many, particularly since injured bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are expected to return for the upcoming IPL, despite missing the tournament.
Selectors have stated that the team’s early exit was due to timing issues. They plan to conduct a thorough review once the players return home. The absence of Cummins and Hazlewood, important members of the bowling lineup, greatly impacted the team, which won the T20 World Cup in 2021.
This can be seen in their losses to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, where the team managed to take only four wickets, all by all-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green.
Hazlewood faced ongoing issues with his Achilles and calf after initially injuring his hamstring in November. Cummins has not played since mid-December due to a stress issue in his back and was withdrawn from the squad ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Despite their limited play in recent months, both bowlers are expected to be fit for the IPL, assuming no further complications arise.
Selector Tony Dodemaide spoke on the matter, asserting there is no conflict between the players’ commitments to IPL and the national team.
“It’s a timing issue. If the IPL were first, they would miss it for the World Cup. We are not frustrated; we know they are committed to playing for Australia,” Dodemaide said, according to ESPNcricinfo.
He also discussed Steve Smith‘s situation in the T20I setup. Smith was brought in as a late replacement for Mitchell Marsh and later as a substitute for Hazlewood but did not play.
“We see him [Smith] mainly at the top of the order. He was available for game three, but our best performers were already set,” Dodemaide remarked.
