Pat Cummins ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026 due to injury, Australia name his replacement

Australia have been dealt a major blow ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, with captain Pat Cummins ruled out of the tournament due to injury. The World Cup will be played in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, and Australia have already made changes to their provisional 15-man squad.

Cummins, who was part of Australia’s initial squad, continues to struggle with a persistent back injury and has been ruled out as he needs more time to recover. Along with Cummins, selectors have also dropped top-order batter Matthew Short from the original squad.

Australia selectors have named left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis and batter Matt Renshaw as replacements as the 2021 champions look to win their second T20 World Cup title.

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Australia selector explains decision

Explaining the changes, selector Tony Dodemaide said Dwarshuis was a like-for-like replacement who offered balance to the squad. “With Pat needing more time to recover from his back injury, Ben is a ready replacement who offers a left-arm pace option as well as dynamic fielding and late-order hitting,” Dodemaide said.

Dodemaide also explained the inclusion of Renshaw, saying the batter has impressed across formats in recent times. “Matt has impressed in all formats of late, including in multiple roles in white-ball formats for Australia, the Queensland Bulls and the Brisbane Heat,” he said. With spin-friendly conditions expected in India and Sri Lanka, selectors felt Renshaw would provide extra middle-order stability.

Renshaw’s selection also meant there was no place for Steve Smith, despite strong calls for his recall following an impressive Big Bash League 2025-26 season. Smith has not played T20I cricket since March 2024.

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Australia already have a settled opening combination in captain Mitchell Marsh and vice-captain Travis Head, with Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell also capable of opening if required. Josh Inglis is the only specialist wicketkeeper named in the squad.

Australia squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa