India vs Australia: Mitchell Starc withdraws from T20I series due to family illness

India vs Australia: Mitchell Starc withdraws from T20I series due to family illness

Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc flaunts the indigenous shirt
Mitchell Starc

Ace Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has pulled out from the remaining two Twenty20 International (T20I) matches against India. He took this decision due to an illness issue in his family. 

There is still no update on when the left-arm pacer will rejoin the Australian squad. The home team is also due to play the much-awaited four-match Test series against India from December 17. The inaugural game will kickstart in a Day/Night encounter at the Adelaide Oval. 

Australian coach Justin Langer came in support of his team member. He said that the entire squad is with Mitchell Starc and would welcome him whenever he decides to join back. 

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“There is nothing in the world more important than family, and in this case, Mitch is no exception,” head coach Justin Langer said. “We will give Mitch all the time he needs and welcomes him back into the squad with open arms whenever he feels the time is right for him and his family.”

Starc’s absence adds to Australian vows

Mitchell Starc earlier missed the third One Day International (ODI) match as well due to some niggles. The home team went on to lose that game after heroics from Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja. His further absence from the remaining two games adds to the selection problems for Australia. 

David Warner, Ashton Agar, and Mitchell Marsh have all been already ruled out owing to injuries ahead of the T20I series. Moreover, kangaroo vice-captain in limited-overs matches Pat Cummins has also been rested ahead of the longer format. Adding to this, Australian skipper Aaron Finch too picked a hip injury during the last encounter at the Manuka Oval, Canberra.

Starc’s absence might land an opportunity for Andrew Tye or the uncapped left-arm quick Daniel Sams into the Aussie playing XI for the second T20I at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.

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