After a prolonged absence from the frenzy of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Australian speedster Mitchell Starc is poised to make a grand re-entry. Not since 2015 has Starc showcased his fast-bowling prowess on the lucrative T20 stage of the IPL, when he donned the jersey for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). This time around, Starc, having fetched a handsome sum of INR 24.75 crore, is ready to unleash his cricketing acumen with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), a team that has twice claimed the coveted title.
The fast bowler’s career has long reflected a prioritization of national duties, often forgoing the IPL season in an effort to refresh and condition himself for the rigors of international cricket, including prestigious series such as the Ashes and critical tournaments like the World Cup. The forthcoming T20 World Cup, slated for June in the vibrant locales of the Caribbean and the United States, has not deterred him. On the contrary, it served as a catalyst for Starc to register for the auction after many years, with the objective of fine-tuning his T20 skills and entering the global tournament fully prepped to represent Australia.
As the anticipation for the 2024 IPL edition soars, Starc shared his eagerness about returning to the Indian T20 league and suiting up for KKR—a team he was initially slated to join back in 2018. In his words during an interview with cricket.com.au, “It’s been 8 years, I think. Back to KKR where I was supposed to be in 2018. So I’ll be back there for the chance to pull on the gold and purple. I guess my memories are a few and far between of back in 2014 and 2015 with Bangalore but yeah, really excited to get stuck in.”
Starc is not only returning to familiar grounds but is also anticipating the newness of the experience. He elaborated, “Obviously, a new group of players. A bunch of guys I certainly haven’t met or been able to work with before. A couple of guys that I’ve, international guys that I’ve played against and come across. Yeah, it’s gonna be exciting. It’s definitely a new challenge. But yeah, it’ll be exciting. It’s always a bit of a circus when it is the best T20 league in the world. So, yeah I look forward to it.”
KKR has meticulously put together a potent lineup, with Starc expected to spearhead their bowling contingent. He will be joined in this endeavor by a blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging talents, names like Harshit Rana, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, and Suyash Sharma, who are all set to share the bowling responsibilities.
The stage is set for KKR to inaugurate their campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic Eden Gardens, come Saturday, March 23. The electrifying atmosphere of the world’s premier T20 league awaits the return of Mitchell Starc, and with his arrival, KKR looks to bring a formidable challenge to the opposing teams. It’s not merely a comeback for Starc; it’s the rekindling of a spark that could potentially set the IPL ablaze with raw pace, precision, and the sheer joy of cricket.
