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Australia pacer Mitchell Starc made quite a surprising decision and called time on his T20I career earlier this week. This announcement left many shocked as it came just months before the 2026 T20 World Cup which is set to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
A few days after announcing his retirement, Starc opened up on his decision and revealed that he wasn't able to properly communicate about it with his teammates. This led to his captain Mitchell Marsh finding out about the seamer's retirement through Instagram.
“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 rang 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 also recalled his experience of featuring for the Australia side that won the T20 World Cup in 2021.
"To be part of that campaign was really special and with a lot of guys who played a lot of T20 cricket together," Starc stated.
Starc wants to focus more on ODIs and Tests
The 35-year-old further remarked that he decided to retire from T20Is because he feels that he can still contribute a lot more for the Baggy Greens in one-day cricket and he already has his sights set on the 2027 ODI World Cup.
"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," Starc stated.
"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.
Meanwhile, with him no longer being involved in T20I assignments, Starc is likely to feature for Australia in their upcoming one-day series against New Zealand and India, both of which are set to be played in October. His focus will also be on the crucial Ashes series against England that will commence from November 21.
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