“They might not reach the semi-finals” - Aakash Chopra reveals why Australia can’t make it to semis in T20 WC 2026

Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra believes that Australia could struggle to reach the semi-finals if their ace pacer Josh Hazlewood misses out on the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.

Notably, Australia will land in Sri Lanka for the mega event without Hazlewood, who is set to remain in Sydney as he continues rehabilitation from an Achilles injury. Notably, Australia has named Sean Abbott as a travelling reserve.

If Hazlewood misses out on the campaign, the Aussies would be without Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc in their bowling line-up. While Cummins has been ruled out due to a back injury, Starc has announced his T20I retirement. 

"I 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.

"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," he concluded.

Australia is placed alongside Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman in Group B. They will take on Ireland in their opening fixture on Wednesday, February 11, in Colombo.

Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.

Travelling reserve: Sean Abbott.

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