Mitchell Starc’s IPL Windfall Raises Questions About Future Test Cricket

In a move hinting at a potential shift in priorities, test cricket stalwart Mitchell Starc, after a nine-year break from the IPL, secured a jaw-dropping 24 crore deal with the Kolkata Knight Riders. This comes after Pat Cummins, another key test bowler, broke auction records with a 20.25 crore bid from Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Starc, known for his deadly inswings and toe crushing yorkers, last participated in the IPL in 2015 for Royal Challengers Banglore but has since solidified his status as one of the world’s premier fast bowlers.

Starc’s return to the IPL spotlight raises questions about the potential ramifications for Test cricket, as former Australian captain Mark Taylor points out. Taylor, expressing concern, acknowledges that the lucrative contracts offered by IPL franchises could pose challenges for the traditional, longer format of the game.

“I think Australia has got it right, but that pressure is going to be even greater in years to come,” warns Taylor. The cricket landscape is evolving, with discussions about a second IPL, emerging Dubai leagues, and American cricket ventures. Taylor emphasizes the need for balance, fearing an ongoing threat to Test cricket’s prominence.

“There’s an ongoing threat to Test cricket, getting that balance right and maintaining and prioritizing Test cricket is going to get tougher,” cautions Taylor in an interview with 9News.

Taylor advises for emerging players to take a cue from Starc’s career trajectory. The 59-year-old encourages young talents to prioritize becoming stellar Test cricketers, echoing, “I hope the players follow in that Mitchell Starc mould.”

Starc is currently playing test cricket for Australia against Pakistan 

Mitchell Starc, who will turn 34 in January 2024, recognizes that the demands of the longer format may not be sustainable for his body in the coming years. Therefore, putting his name up in the IPL 2024 auction table is a strategic move to manage his workload and maintain peak performance.

His advice is clear: focus on earning the coveted baggy green and honing skills in the traditional format, all while recognizing that the allure of the IPL will persist when the right time will come.

The cricket world is slowly expanding the horizons of the T20 league format. From India to America, cricket’s rising popularity is undeniably linked to the central stage T20 occupies. As Mark Taylor points out, the big paydays offered by T20 leagues can indeed threaten the commitment required for Test cricket.

Players may be drawn to the relative safety and fewer matches of T20 leagues, allowing more time for family. However, striking a balance between formats is crucial, ensuring that playing for one’s country retains its separate, unique, and unparalleled significance.