IPL 2026: 9 Star players out of initial matches, fans disappointed
9 key players, including 4 Australians, miss IPL 2026's initial matches due to fitness issues and personal reasons, disappointing fans. Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc are among the notable absentees
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) begins on March 28th. The league's 19th season is already in the news due to fitness issues among prominent players. Nine foreign players will be unable to play in the opening matches of IPL 2026 due to fitness and other reasons. Four of these players are Australian.
Let's take a look at which foreign players will be out of the initial matches of the 19th season of the IPL due to fitness issues. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain Pat Cummins (Australia) is not fully fit. He will not be able to play the initial matches of the league. Due to this, the captaincy of SRH has been handed over to Ishan Kishan. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fast bowler Josh Hazlewood (Australia) is also not fully fit and is on the road to recovery. He may join the team before the fourth league match against Mumbai Indians on April 12.
Delhi Capitals (DC) fast bowler Mitchell Starc (Australia) will also miss the opening matches for the team. He has been suspended by Cricket Australia under workload management. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player Matthew Short (Australia) will be out of the opening matches due to a thumb fracture. Punjab Kings (PBKS) fast bowler Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand) will miss the first seven matches of IPL 2026. He is in his home country to spend time with his wife and their newly born child. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) fast bowler Mathisha Pathirana (Sri Lanka) will not be available for the first two weeks of the season.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) spinner Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) is also injured. His participation in the initial matches is doubtful. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) fast bowler Ishan Malinga (Sri Lanka) is in Sri Lanka due to a shoulder injury. He will be cleared to join the IPL only after undergoing and passing the fitness test by the board. He is certain to be out of the initial matches. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fast bowler Nuwan Thushara (Sri Lanka) will also be able to join the team only after passing the fitness test of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board.