Despite KKR's costly 2018 gamble on Starc ending in injury, their record-breaking ₹24.75 crore bid this year finally secured him. After years prioritizing Tests and family, Starc's IPL return sparked a historic bidding war, proving his return a coveted one. The ghosts of 2018 are laid to rest, replaced by excitement for what this new chapter holds for both Starc and KKR.
Mitchell Starc's return to the IPL was nothing short of explosive! In a bidding war that shattered records, Kolkata Knight Riders snatched the prized left-arm fast bowler for a staggering ₹24.75 crore, making him the most expensive IPL buy ever.
KKR outbid Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, and Gujarat Titans, leaving the cricket world gasping in awe. This astronomical deal cemented Starc's status as a true IPL rockstar, and he instantly joined his Aussie skipper, Pat Cummins, in the coveted 20-crore club after Cummins was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹20.5 crore earlier that day.
It's a remarkable turnaround for Starc, who missed his entire 2018 IPL stint with KKR due to injury after being bought for ₹9.4 crore. This time, KKR's gamble paid off spectacularly, leaving everyone eager to see what magic Starc conjures up in Purple and Gold.
Gautam Gambhir smiles after grabbing Mitchell Starc to KKR for 24.75 cr. #IPL2024Auction #iplauction2024pic.twitter.com/fPtonyEWnK
— Mufa (@MufaKohlii) December 19, 2023
Starc said he was thrilled to be a part of KKR but he didn't quite imagine he would go for that amount. "Nothing I could have dreamt of. A few teams were looking to bolster their pace attacks and there are a plethora of brilliant skill sets and names on their auction list, with Pat (Cummins) being one of them, and going to Dan’s (Daniel Vettori) team in Hyderabad. I wasn't sure where I would end up, but I am thrilled to be a part of KKR. It’s a team that Pat was at, so hopefully, I can fill his boots there and be very successful," he said on Jio Cinema.
But what prompted a change of mind for Starc after six years? The last time he played in the IPL was way back in 2015 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore and even though he was bought by KKR in IPL 2018, he couldn't pay a single match due to an injury.
"I have prioritized international cricket and wanted to prioritize Test cricket as well, playing as much and as well as I could for Australia. That was my thought process leading up to the last number of years. Coming into the back end of this year and heading into next year, it’s a lot quieter on the international scene for the Australian group. It’s a great chance to get involved in the IPL. Obviously, there’s a T20 World Cup coming up next year and there’s a good chance to play some really competitive T20 cricket in the best T20 league with the world-class players we see on all the lists," he said.
Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir justified his franchise bidding for Mitchell Starc. "He (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, who was present at the auction, said.
"He is going to be of massive help to our two domestic bowlers because both of them are very talented and you need someone to help them out in the middle and Starc covers those bases.
"It is not only about his bowling but also about leading the attack and helping all guys around him. So, somebody will have to pay for it," the former India opener said.
Also Read: Delhi Capitals full squad after IPL 2024 auction, DC full player List
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