T20 World Cup 2026: ‘They might not reach the semi-finals’ – Aakash Chopra warns Australia without Josh Hazlewood

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has suggested that Australia could struggle to reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2026 if Josh Hazlewood, along with Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, is unavailable for the tournament. He noted that Australia lack equally effective replacements for their frontline pacers and could face difficulties, especially if they are drawn into a challenging Super Eight group.

The T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Australia have been placed in Group B for the preliminary stage, alongside Sri Lanka, Ireland, Oman, and Zimbabwe, and will begin their campaign against Ireland in Colombo on February 11.

“I also read Hazlewood’s news, that he also might not be available for the majority of the tournament. If that is true, whether it’s Ben Dwarshuis or Sean Abbott, or anyone else you keep, with due respect, but they are not the same quality,” Chopra said on YouTube channel.

“Then Australia will get stuck. Then they might not reach the semi-finals because the group they are going to, Australia, India, South Africa and the West Indies, it is not an easy group. To go to the semi-final and then the final from that group is slightly difficult,” he added.

Chopra noted that Australia would be significantly weakened if Josh Hazlewood is ruled out of the T20 World Cup. While Mitchell Starc has retired from T20Is, Pat Cummins has been sidelined from the marquee event due to a back injury. Sean Abbott has been named as a travelling reserve in Australia’s squad, with Hazlewood still recovering from an Achilles injury.

“If Josh Hazlewood misses out as well, along with Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, aapne dil, dhadkan, jaan, sab kuch nikaal liya (you have removed the heart, heartbeat, life, and everything). Then this team will become weak. Then they will struggle. There is a strong possibility,” said Chopra.