The T20 World Cup 2021 champions Australia, who always start any ICC tournament as the favourites, have been eliminated from the group stage of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, while they are yet to play their last game of Group B. Fans are reacting after Australia have officially been eliminated from the tournament. 

How did Australia get eliminated from group stage of ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026?

Australia are playing all their group stage matches in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 in Sri Lanka, where they can face the hosts Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Oman in Group B. Starting the tournament with a 67-run win against Ireland, Australia suffered a 23-run defeat against Zimbabwe, and also lost against the hosts Sri Lanka by eight wickets last night, where the hosts comfortably chased down the 182-run target. 

After losing the match against Sri Lanka, Australia had to believe in their luck, as Zimbabwe would need to lose both their remaining matches (against Ireland and Sri Lanka) in the group stage. 

However, on Tuesday afternoon (February 17), the Zimbabwe vs Ireland Group B match was washed out in the rain. With this no-result, Zimbabwe secured their place in the Super Eight stage, as they will play from Group 1 in India, where they will face the hosts India, South Africa, and the West Indies. 

In the meantime, the Zimbabwe vs Ireland no-result has confirmed Australia's elimination from the group stage of the tournament, while they are yet to face Oman in their last group stage match on Friday (February 20).

See Also: Super 8 schedule revealed for India in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026

Is this just a phase or a major shift in world cricket? Fans react to Australia's exit from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026

Many cricket fans are reacting to Australia's early exit from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, while some have trolled the team due to a past disrespectful incident, which was committed by the present Australian T20I captain Mitchell Marsh.  

Australian cricket has been such an embarrassment. I wouldn’t have been mad if they didn’t have resources but ik they do. Even after that, they failed to even qualify to the S8. Terrible mgt, choices & terrrible decisions taken. the ppl behind needs to get sacked rn#T20WorldCup

— Anyayyy🦄 (@_kawaaaiiii) February 17, 2026

The Pallekele rain has ended Australia's hopes of qualification beyond the group stage, which is not what many people would have had on their T20 World Cup bingo cards.

Yes, they had a big injury list, but they failed to adapt to slow pitches, and were ultimately outplayed.

— Behram Qazi 🇵🇰 🇨🇦 (@DeafMango) February 17, 2026

Is this just a phase or a major shift in world cricket? 🤯🔥#AustraliaCricket #ICCTournaments #CricketStats #WorldCricket #t20worldcup2024🏏🏏🏏🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳❤️❤️🎉 pic.twitter.com/3iqTfFGbTE

— Chennai (@memeschennai) February 17, 2026

2/2 #CricSay #AustraliaCricket
This is Australia's first group stage exit since 2009. 📉 Plagued by injuries and the "Raza effect," Mitchell Marsh's side will head home early while the Chevrons prepare for the fight of their lives in the Super 8. 🏟️🔥
Real stats. Real talk.

— Cricsay (@cricsay) February 17, 2026

Super 12 in 2022 T20 WC
Super 8 in 2024 T20 WC
Group Stage in 2026 T20 WC

Time for Australia to think about the betterment of T20 cricket. 🇦🇺#T20WorldCup #AustraliaCricket

— DIVYANSH CHAUHAN (@Imchauhan28) February 17, 2026

Since the 2023 ODI World Cup high… it’s been a tough road for Australia. 🇦🇺
Three ICC setbacks and counting. 👀🏆#T20WorldCup2026 #WorldCup #AustraliaCricket #CricketUpdates #GameVelocity pic.twitter.com/Wy5aV3B0zj

— gamevelocity (@gamevelocity_) February 17, 2026