“Back to KKR where I was supposed to be in 2018” – Mitchell Starc excited coming back into IPL.
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc is eagerly anticipating his return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) after an eight-year absence. Starc expressed his excitement at the prospect of donning an IPL jersey once again and the opportunity to play alongside and against new faces in the tournament.
Starc’s return to the IPL comes with a significant price tag, as he became the highest-paid player in IPL auction history after the Kolkata Knight Riders secured his services with a remarkable bid of ₹24.75 crore. The 34-year-old’s impressive performance during the 2023 ODI World Cup, particularly in the latter stages of the tournament, played a pivotal role in attracting such a lucrative contract.
Reflecting on his previous stints in the IPL, Starc fondly recalled his experiences from the 2014 and 2015 seasons, saying “It’s been eight 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 RCB but yeah, really excited to get stuck in. Obviously, a new group of players. A bunch of guys I certainly haven’t met or been able to work with before.”
Despite limited opportunities in the past, the cricketer from New South Wales has delivered commendable performances in the IPL, having claimed 34 wickets in 27 matches at an impressive average of 20.38.