19 Mitchell Starc

One of the most lethal left-arm fast bowlers in the history of the game, Mitchell Starc (born January 30, 1990) remains the gold standard for high-velocity swing and pin-point yorkers. A three-format ICC champion and a two-time ODI World Cup winner, Starc has redefined fast bowling for a generation, combining raw aggression with tactical mastery.

As of January 20, 2026, Starc is coming off the most dominant year of his career. Fresh from shattering records in the 2025-26 Ashes, he is currently spearheading the Sydney Sixers in the BBL 2025/26 Qualifier today, while preparing to lead the Delhi Capitals (DC) pace battery in the upcoming IPL 2026 season.

Mitchell Starc: The 2025-26 “Ironman” Year

The Ashes 2025-26 Masterclass

Starc reached the pinnacle of red-ball dominance in early January 2026, leading Australia to a 4–1 Ashes victory over England. He finished the series with a staggering 31 wickets at an average of 19.93, joining an elite list of Australian legends to take 30+ wickets in a single Ashes series.

• Historic Milestone: In December 2025, he became the only cricketer in the world to claim 50 Test wickets in the 2025 calendar year, highlighting his incredible stamina and longevity at age 35.

• Career Best: During the Perth Test in November 2025, Starc recorded his best-ever match figures of 10/113, including a fiery 7/58 in the first innings.

IPL 2026: Leading the Delhi Capitals

After his record-breaking ₹24.75 Crore stint with KKR in 2024, Delhi Capitals secured Starc for ₹11.75 Crore in 2025. For the 2026 season, he has been retained as the franchise’s premier overseas pacer. Under the leadership of KL Rahul and the mentorship of Rahul Dravid, Starc is expected to share the new ball with Mukesh Kumar and Anrich Nortje, providing the Capitals with an unparalleled left-arm threat.

T20I Retirement & Longevity

In September 2025, Starc officially announced his retirement from T20 Internationals to focus on prolonging his Test career and high-value franchise commitments. This strategic move has paid dividends, as evidenced by his peak physical condition during the recent grueling international summer.

Mitchell Starc: Career Statistics

Data consolidated as of January 20, 2026.

IPL Bowling Performance

Recent International Highlights (2025-26)