The availability of Australian overseas players became a topic of discussion coming into IPL 2026. Fast-bowling triumvirate of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins all joined their franchises late, while Cameron Green’s bowling workload was managed by Cricket Australia.

However, former India international Sanjay Manjrekar feels that the Australian winning mentality explains why they are in such high demand among IPL franchises.

“The Australians are the players that you want.

If you reach the playoffs and the finals, the more Australians that you have, the better it is,” Manjrekar said on Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast. “It’s the championship DNA that we all want from them.”

Manjrekar was particularly effusive in his praise of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. Hazlewood, who was an integral part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s run to its maiden IPL title last year, has begun this season in impressive form again despite coming into the season after a lengthy injury layoff.

“Josh Hazlewood might be a hit-the-deck kind of bowler, not suitable for Indian conditions, but he’s got tremendous experience.

He’ll mix that hit-the-deck with balls that are pitched up and has this intent of making a difference.

“He may not be ideally suited for Indian conditions, but the champion cricketer that resides inside that bowling mechanism makes the difference,” Manjrekar said.

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Manjrekar was also complimentary of Mitchell Starc, who joined this tournament late but produced a series of tournament-defining performances to help Kolkata Knight Riders win the title in 2024.

“If you see Mitchell Starc’s performance in the IPL, he’s not quite the bowler when it comes to all the 14-15 league matches before you get into the playoffs, but then the tail is up (he makes the difference),” he said.

Published on May 03, 2026