Mitchell Starc is one of the greatest fast bowlers of the current era. The Australian pacer deserves no shortage of praise, having contributed to 2 World Cup wins and lifting T20 World Cup 2021. With 65 wickets, Starc is the 3rd highest wicket-taker in ODI World Cup history following Glenn McGrath (71) and Muralidaran (68). However, despite all the international glory, he has yet to make a mark in the IPL.
It’s not that IPL franchises lack interest in Mitchell Starc; rather, the Australian pacer himself hasn’t shown much interest in the cash-rich league. Following his participation in the 2015 IPL season with RCB, Starc has been absent from the league for various reasons, often prioritizing international cricket. However, the 33-year-old pacer has now enlisted his name for the IPL 2024 Auction and is set to start a bidding war among franchises.
KKR is among the franchises set to bid on Mitchell Starc
As per reports, at least five IPL franchises had reached out to Mitchell Starc to ask about his availability. A report further claimed that Kolkata Knight Riders are considering Mitchell Starc as their big-budget buy. With 32.7 crore in their purse, KKR management can go all out on the Aussie pacer. They are in dire need of an overseas pacer after releasing Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson.
Chennai Super Kings have released two of their overseas pacers, Dwaine Pretorius and Sisanda Magala. According to reports, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Gerald Coetzee are on CSK’s wishlist. Meanwhile, RCB and MI also need overseas pacers, and they might attempt to acquire Starc, but their purses of 23.25 and 17.75 respectively could limit them from making a huge bid on him.
KKR had bought Mitchell Starc in IPL 2018 Auction
In the upcoming auction, Mitchell Starc is expected to feature in the 2-Crore base price category. In his last Auction in 2018, he was listed at the same base price and was secured by Kolkata Knight Riders for 9.40 crore. Notably, only two franchises, Kolkata and Punjab had made a bid for the services of the New South Wales pacer. Unfortunately, Starc couldn’t play for KKR during the 2018 IPL season as he had to withdraw due to injury.
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Talking about Mitchell Starc’s IPL career, he has only represented Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2014 and 2015 editions. In 27 matches for RCB, he has picked 34 wickets, making him a decent performer. Since then workload and injuries have prevented him from participating in the no.1 T20 league.
