Desk Correspondent , New Delhi - Australia will head into the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan without several of their biggest stars, as IPL 2026 commitments force a major squad reshuffle. Cricket Australia confirmed that Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett and Travis Head will miss the three-match ODI series beginning May 30.

The six players will remain in India for the ongoing IPL 2026 season, with most of them expected to play crucial roles in the playoffs. Cummins and Head are likely to feature for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Hazlewood for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while Cooper Connolly and Xavier Bartlett remain part of Punjab Kings’ campaign. Starc’s playing for Delhi Capitals are also still mathematically alive in the playoff race. Meanwhile, Australia have included Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green and Josh Inglis in the squad for the Pakistan tour. Marsh and Inglis, whose Lucknow Super Giants are already out of playoff contention, are available for selection, while Green could still face uncertainty if Kolkata Knight Riders qualify for the IPL playoffs.

The ODI series against Pakistan will be played on May 30, June 2 and June 4 in Rawalpindi and Lahore before Australia travel to Bangladesh for a white-ball series featuring three ODIs and three T20Is.

Australia chair of selectors George Bailey defended the squad overhaul, saying the tour provides a valuable opportunity to test young talent alongside experienced players in subcontinent conditions. However, the absence of several senior stars due to IPL commitments has once again highlighted the growing clash between franchise cricket and international schedules.