There comes good news for all cricket enthusiasts as one of the best players of World Cricket, Mitchell Starc eyes a return to the IPL for the 2024 edition. Notably, after nine long years, Starc will feature in the Indian premier league if he gets picked by any franchise in the IPL 2024 auctions. He last played for the RCB in the 2014-2015 season & since then he has kept himself away from the league. During the 2014-2015 edition of IPL, Starc has scalped 34 wickets in 27 matches for RCB.
Back in the 2018 auction, Starc was acquired by Kolkata Knight Riders before he withdrew from the league due to an injury. After that, he has always prioritized his International Commitments over IPL. He is the one who has always chosen country before money. However, what has compelled Mitchell Starc to make a comeback to IPL is the fact that Australia’s FTP for 2024 is less hectic. They will feature in the T20 World Cup 2023 between a tour of New Zealand in March & a white ball series against Afghanistan, Ireland, and England from late August. This provides Starc an opportunity to feature in the IPL slated to be played in the March-May window.
“Look it’s been eight years. I’m definitely going back in [next] year. Amongst other things, it’s a great lead-up to the T20 World Cup. So a good opportunity to see if anyone’s interested in the IPL, then lead into the T20 World Cup. And it is somewhat of a quiet winter next year…in comparison to this winter, so I think a perfect opportunity to put my name in,”
Starc told the Willow Talk Cricket Podcast about his IPL ambitions as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
What is major reason behind Micthell Starc absence from IPL?
One of the major reasons why Mitchell Starc has opted to not play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for so long is that he wanted to stay available for Test Cricket & concentrate more on his cricketing career. He has a goal of playing a ton of matches in Test format, a feat which was achieved by pacer McGrath & still remains the only pacer in Australian history to do so. He has currently played 82 Tests & if he makes a cut into Australia’s upcoming fixtures of the FTP then his 100th Test match will be during Ashes 2025-26
I want to become skilled to be chosen for 100 Test, says Starc
He expressed his ambitions, stating that he doesn’t merely aspire to reach 100 Test matches; his hope is to attain the level of skill that would earn him selection in 100 Test matches. Furthermore, he mentioned the highly anticipated World Cup in India, just a couple of weeks away, which consistently brings cricket to a whole new level.
Speaking about the one-day format, he considered the four-year gap between World Cups and wondered about his role during that time. However, he emphasized the need to focus on the ongoing World Cup before thinking too far ahead.
Starc further said that he prefers not to make extensive long-term plans. His immediate goals included performing well in the upcoming World Cup and participating in a series of five Test matches in Australia. Additionally, he looked forward to the challenge of playing a Test match in New Zealand, a place where he hadn’t yet had the opportunity to showcase his skills.
Talking about the Indian Premier League, Australians have a good record as in the IPL 2023 auction Aussie all-rounder Camron Green was acquired by Mumbai Indians for $3.15 million (INR 17.5 crore) making him the most expensive Australian cricketer in IPL history. It will be interesting to see how IPL 2024 Auction will turn out for Micthell Starc who returns to the league after 9 years.
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