Mitchell Starc took 79 wickets in 65 T20Is and also won the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Even though the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka is only six months away, Starc decided to put his health, ODI, and Test cricket first and ended his T20I career.
Days after retiring from T20I, Starc made the amusing admission that his skipper, Mitchell Marsh, was equally taken aback by his choice. Marsh learned of the call on Instagram. The pacer did, however, communicate his decision to withdraw from international T20Is to head coach Andrew McDonald.
“I did let them know; I did not ask them. I spoke to Ronnie (Andrew McDonald) and then told the two of them that I was done. Yeah, that was about it. I probably should have rung Mitchy," cricket.com.au quoted Starc as saying.
"I felt bad because he texted me and said he found out through Instagram. So, I felt bad about that one. Sorry, Mitchy. Didn't tell the captain,” he added.
Starc said that it was an extremely unique experience to be a member of the team that won the T20 World Cup. It should be noted that because of the COVID-19 epidemic, the competition was held in a bio-bubble in the United Arab Emirates.
"To be part of that campaign was really special, and it was with a lot of guys who played a lot of T20 cricket together," said the 35-year-old.
When asked about his decision to retire from T20Is, Starc said that he still has a lot to offer in ODIs and that the 2027 World Cup is on his radar.
"I umm-ed and ahh-ed about which was the right (format) to put to the side. If I wasn't going to be in the frame for 2027, then I didn't want to hold up the spot. I still feel like I've got plenty to offer that ODI team. I'd thought about it for a while. I feel like it was probably a good time. I'm 35 now. Tests have always been my priority, and they will remain my priority," he added.
If Starc plays the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, he will have a shot at breaking Glenn McGrath’s world record for most wickets in ICC World Cups—71.
"For lack of a better term, I want to milk my body as much as I can for as much Test cricket as possible. I feel like I've got plenty to offer the ODI team, and with that goal of getting my body to 2027, but also being good enough to be in that team for the World Cup in 2027. I felt like this was my best opportunity to prolong my Test career and get to that World Cup. That was never going to be off the table. I just felt like one of the other (formats) had to give.” Starc signed off.
Starc played 65 T20Is for Australia and picked up 79 wickets with a best of 4/20.