Australian pace bowling stalwart Mitchell Starc has announced his decision to retire from the T20I format in a bid to manage his workload ahead of a demanding Ashes Test series, which starts later this year. The 35-year-old speedster further backed his decision to retire from this format by stressing his desire to keep himself fresh and rejuvenated for the all-important 2027 ODI World Cup. 

Although no one saw his retirement coming, the cricketing world was certainly left in a state of disbelief after hearing this unfortunate development. For over a decade, Starc has been a reliable all-format specialist bowler for Australia. The lethal paceman scripted match-winning performances for his national side in crunch matches. His ability to swing the ball at pace, followed by his tendency to trouble the batters with his sharp bouncers, made him one of the most feared bowlers in all formats of the game.

While we may no longer see Strac in action in the shortest format, it is time for us to revisit his glorious T20I past. 

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A brief roundup of Mitchell Starc's glorious T20I record

The NSW-born pacer is Australia's second-highest wicket taker in the T20I format. Starc made his T20I debut against Pakistan in the year 2012. Although he managed to pick just a solitary wicket, the charismatic pacer left an immediate impact by giving away just 17 runs in his four overs. In 65 T20Is, Starc has registered 79 scalps at a remarkable average of 23.81. While he has demonstrated his appetite to pick wickets consistently, Starc also maintained a very impressive economy rate of 7.73 RPO. His figures of 4-20 against the West Indies remain his best-recorded bowling figures in the shortest format. 

A total of 30 out of the 79 dismissals came against Pakistan & Sri Lanka. The pacer claimed 15 wickets apiece against the two teams. Moreover, he was also a thorn in the side of the West Indies, averaging 25.07 with 14 wickets against them. He also fared well against India too, taking seven wickets at an average of 24. Barring Scotland, Starc has managed to pick a wicket against every nation he has played. His only weak link in his overall T20I career was his performance against the BlackCaps, against whom he averaged a shocking 155 with only one wicket to his name.

Starc's final appearance for Australia in this format came against India in the T20 World Cup 2024. The speedster was a part of the 2021 T20 World Cup-winning squad and also represented his national squad successfully in the 2014, 2016, and 2022 T20 World Cups.