Archive photo of Mitchell Starc
Australia’s World Cup-winning pacer Mitchell Starc has become the most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL), after he was bought for Rs 24.75 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders. The left-arm pacer became the second player to breach the Rs 20-crore mark after teammate Pat Cummins was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 20.5 crore on the same day in the IPL 2024 auction held in Dubai on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old, who entered the auction with a base price of Rs 2 crore, attracted bids from Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. Both teams were involved in an intense bidding war. Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans joined forces for a price tag of over Rs 20 crore, before the Kolkata-based franchise scooped him up for a record price.
Starc, Australia’s premier bowler, is making his return to the Indian Premier League after an eight-year hiatus.
The veteran Australian player had refrained from participating in the Indian Premier League since 2015, focusing on performing national duties. Starc last appeared in the IPL auction in 2018, where his services were snapped up by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a reported Rs 9.4 crore. However, an unfortunate fracture to his right tibia meant he would miss the entire season.
Starc’s IPL journey consists of two seasons, both spent with Royal Challengers Bangalore. In the 2014 edition, he showed his bowling prowess by taking 14 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 28.71. The following year, Starc upped his game, collecting 20 wickets in 13 matches at an impressive average of just 14.55. It is worth noting that he achieved his best numbers of 4/15 during the 2015 season.
In addition to his contributions in the Indian Premier League, Starc played a pivotal role in Australia’s historic sixth ODI World Cup win. His exceptional bowling skills were on full display as he took 16 wickets in 10 matches during the tournament, underscoring his importance to the team’s success. As Starc gears up for his return to the Indian Premier League, fans are eagerly anticipating the Australian veteran’s return to the T20 stage.
Starc has had a solid track record in limited-overs cricket over the last couple of years, showcasing his prowess as an elite fast bowler. In ODIs during this period, Starc was extremely effective, amassing an impressive tally of 41 wickets in 22 matches. In 2022, his economy rate reached 4.26, a testament to his ability to control the flow of runs.
While the economy rate saw a slight rise to 6.16 in 2023, Starc’s overall performance is still commendable. In T20Is during 2022, he continued to make an impact, taking 13 wickets in 10 matches at an impressive average of 24. One of his most notable T20I performances in 2022 was achieving career-best bowling figures of 4/20, making Confirms his abilities. Efficiency in the shortest form of the game.
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