The absence of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins has affected the Australian cricket team’s bowling strength ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, which starts on February 7. Ahead of the World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the team received another grim news: Josh Hazlewood was injured.

Aakash Chopra in his official YouTube video said that Australia has suffered several major setbacks and it will be really difficult to sustain in the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup. The former India cricketer said that the former T20 World Cup winner may bow out of the Super Eight stage.

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Along with Pat Cummins, Mitchell and Josh Hazlewood, the Australian cricket team’s pace is unmatched in T20Is. Starc announced his retirement from T20 internationals, while Cummins was ruled out of the tournament due to a back problem. Hazlewood is part of Australia’s current squad for the T20 World Cup, but his participation in the tournament was uncertain from the start.

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Talking about the crisis moment in Australia’s T20, Aakash Chopra said that without their chief pacer, the Australian team will have to put in a lot of effort in the game. With Josh Hazlewood uncertain for part of the match, the side from Kangaroo Country have very limited options to lead the way in terms of bowling.

“If Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, aapne dil, dhadkan, jaan, sab kuch nikaal liya (you have removed the heart, the heartbeat, the life and everything) also miss. Then the team will be weak. Then they will be in trouble. The odds are high,” Chopra said in his YouTube video.

Australia’s bowling line-up lacks quality

Cricket Australia has appointed Ben Dwarshuis to replace the injured Cummins. Another pacer, Sean Abbott, will travel with the team as cover for Josh Hazlewood. If Hazlewood is unable to recover within the allotted time, traveling reserve Abbott will replace him.

The team has options and substitutes, but Aakash Chopra expressed concerns over the quality of bowlers such as Ben Dwarshuis and Sean Abbott.

“I’ve also read about Hazlewood that he might not be available for most of the games as well. If that’s true, whether it’s Ben Devasius, Sean Abbott or whoever else you retain, IMHO they’re not of the same quality,” Chopra explained.

Australia may have a lot of struggles ahead

Australia is in Group B with Sri Lanka, Ireland, Oman and Zimbabwe. Judging from this group, they are expected to advance to the next round, where they will face tougher challenges. India, South Africa and West Indies are the favorites to be grouped with Australia in the quarter-finals.

The eight teams will be divided into two groups, from which the two best teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals. Chopra said Australia could face a lot of difficulties against India, South Africa or the West Indies.

“Then Australia will be in trouble. Then they may not make it to the semi-finals because the group they are going to, Australia, India, South Africa and West Indies, is not an easy group. To get to the semi-finals from that group and then to the final is a bit difficult,” the former India cricketer said.

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