Mitchell Starc's illustrious run dented; loses 1st ever white-ball final after BBL heartbreak

Mitchell Starc loses final for the first time [Source: @BouncerAvenue/x]

Mitchell Starc has lost his first-ever white-ball final for any team in his illustrious career. After winning six titles in a row spanning several ICC events and numerous franchise T20 leagues, the Australian pace demon succumbed to a huge defeat as part of the Sydney Sixers team to concede the BBL 2025-26 silverware to Perth Scorchers at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

In the match, Starc and the rest of his bowling teammates failed to defend Sixers’ paltry 132-run total on Sunday, January 25.

Six final wins and a defeat for Mitchell Starc

Australia’s quintessential big-match player Mitchell Starc failed to come up clutch for his side on a big day. For once, the speedster could not steer his team to a title victory in the final of a white-ball event.

The rare occurrence unfolded on Sunday, January 25 when Sydney Sixers received a six-wicket drubbing in just 17.3 overs at the hands of Perth Scorchers in Perth in the BBL 2025-26 final.

The outcome also halted Mitchell Starc’s sustained dominance in white-ball finals, considering the speedster has now lost his first-ever limited-overs final after winning six in succession since his competitive debut.

Making his debut in competitive cricket in late 2009, Mitchell Starc won his first final by winning the inaugural BBL season back in January 2012 against Perth Scorchers. The legendary fast bowler picked up two wickets in the match, including that of Paul Collingwood and Australian great Simon Katich.

He followed it up by winning the CLT20 2012 season later that same year, and the 2021 T20 World Cup and 2015 and 2023 ODI World Cups for the Australian cricket team. Mitchell Starc won his maiden IPL title in 2024 as part of the KKR franchise, where his opening spell blew away the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

Here is a list of Mitchell Starc’s final wins before his latest defeat for the Sydney Sixers:

• 2012 BBL - Won
• 2012 CLT20 - Won
• 2015 WC - Won
• 2021 T20WC - Won
• 2023 WC - Won
• 2024 IPL - Won
• 2026 BBL - Lost

Mitchell Starc in finals overall

Interestingly, Mitchell Starc also lost his first-ever final overall, regardless of the format, last year when his Australian cricket team failed to topple South Africa in the 2025 WTC final in England. By losing the BBL 2025-26 final in Perth, Starc has now lost two successive finals across all formats in the space of a year.

What’s next for Mitchell Starc?

Nonetheless, Mitchell Starc can still make amends for his latest setback at the age of 36. Fresh off his successful Ashes campaign at home against England, the left-arm quick will now enjoy a brief break as his national teammates head off to Pakistan for a short T20I series.

The Australian team will also feature in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup next month in India and Sri Lanka. Mitchell Starc will next be seen in action in India as he is expected to reprise his role for the Delhi Capitals franchise in the upcoming IPL 2026 season.