In a groundbreaking flip of occasions on the IPL Players Auction in Dubai, Mitchell Starc emerged because the highest-paid participant, fetching a staggering Rs 24.75 crore from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). This historic deal not solely shattered earlier data but additionally marked Starc’s return to the IPL after an eight-season hiatus. Starc’s absence from the IPL since 2015 has been a topic of hypothesis and curiosity. However, the Australian pacer, now 33, revealed on the LiSTNR Sport podcast on YouTube that he has no regrets about lacking the final eight seasons. According to Starc, the choice to deal with his nationwide duties and skip the IPL has been instrumental in prolonging his Test profession.
“I made some choices, which I don’t regret at all. I think it’s probably helped my Test career, so I’m very happy with how it’s all gone. Very grateful to have some interest in the auction and excited, thrilled, surprised. There’s plenty of words you can describe the night,” Starc expressed.
Mitchell Starc speaking about on becoming a member of KKR crew.
The Most costly participant in IPL historical past – Welcome to KKR household, Starc..!!!! pic.twitter.com/ztGQa5GXMK
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) December 19, 2023
The Auction Drama
Starc, initially listed at a base value of Rs 2 crore, attracted aggressive bids from Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. A fierce bidding conflict unfolded, with Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans becoming a member of in. Eventually, KKR secured Starc’s providers at a document value, making him the most costly purchase in IPL historical past.
A Look Back: Starc’s IPL Journey
Starc’s IPL journey started with two profitable seasons with the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2014 and 2015. He showcased his distinctive bowling abilities, claiming 14 and 20 wickets within the respective seasons. Notably, throughout the 2015 season, he achieved his greatest figures of 4/15.
Gambhir’s Insight: Starc as KKR’s X-Factor
Former KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir, who has returned to the crew as a mentor for IPL 2024, expressed his views on Starc’s return. Gambhir believes that Starc will likely be a large asset to home bowlers, branding him because the X-factor for KKR within the upcoming season.
“Starc is an X-factor, there is no doubt about that. Someone who can bowl with the new ball, bowl in the death overs and more importantly, someone who can lead the attack,” Gambhir acknowledged.
RCB’s Perspective: Missed Opportunity with Starc
While the Kolkata Knight Riders celebrated their record-breaking acquisition, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, revealed that they’d have liked to go for Mitchell Starc. However, the public sale order made it difficult for RCB, main them to accept Alzarri Joseph.
Bobat defined, “We wanted to have ourselves in a position to have a good crack at both of them. So the order does dictate what you are capable of doing. We did have a good crack at Cummins but obviously were outbid by SRH and ideally we would have liked to go for Starc but the order made that tricky.”
