Mitchell Starc has hinted at retirement from one of the formats in international cricket—most probably ODIs— to shift focus to franchise leagues. Kolkata Knight Riders premier paceman Mitchell Starc has expressed his wish to return to IPL 2025 in the Purple and Golden outfit once again.
Mitchell Starc was bought by KKR for a record-breaking INR 24.75 crore in the IPL 2024 auction as he played a massive role in the team’s third IPL title triumph. The Aussie pacer produced Player of the Match performances in the qualifier 1 and final against Sunrisers Hyderabad to prove he was worth every penny KKR spent on him in the auction.
Mitchell Starc’s return to IPL after 9 years since 2015
Mitchell Starc returned to the IPL this year after a long hiatus. Mitchell Starc last played in the cash-rich league in 2015 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Mitchell Starc missed the world’s most lucrative league to prioritise Australian cricket, however, Mitchell Starc has changed his mind a bit in the current stage of his career.
Mitchell Starc’s consideration of dropping ODIs from his cricketing calendar could mean more appearances in franchise cricket, including the IPL. Despite being the most expensive player in IPL auction history, fetched for Rs. 24.75 crore by KKR, Mitchell Starc had a tough start to the season. He conceded 100 runs in his first two games without taking a wicket, but his performance dramatically improved as the tournament progressed.
Mitchell Starc’s match-winning figures of 3-34 and 2-14 in Qualifier 1 and the final, respectively, against SRH showcased his ability to perform under pressure. His efforts were instrumental in KKR’s dominant campaign, ending with a resounding victory in the final.
Mitchell Starc’s return to the IPL has been nothing short of spectacular, culminating in a title win with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). After years of prioritizing international cricket, Mitchell Starc’s decision to rejoin the cash-rich league paid off, and he now contemplates altering his cricketing commitments, potentially stepping away from ODIs.
Mitchell Starc, who had largely stayed away from the IPL during his peak years to focus on his national duties and manage his workload, revealed his thoughts on this shift at a press conference following KKR’s emphatic win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2024 final by eight wickets. KKR secured their third IPL title, with Starc playing a pivotal role.
Mitchell Starc hints at retirement from a format after clinching IPL title in 2024
Mitchell Starc helped Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) win the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) with player of the match performances in back-to-back games. After the game, the Australia fast-bowler though hinted ODI retirement, especially with a long wait before the next one-day World Cup, wants to shift focus to more franchise cricket around the world.
“The last nine years, I’ve prioritized Australian cricket. I have given myself a chance to give my body a break and spend some time away from cricket with my wife as well, so that’s certainly been where my head’s been for the last nine years,” Starc said at a press conference.
The star pacer, who won the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup with Australia last year, said that the IPL has helped him and others to get ready for the T20 WC 2024.
“Moving forward… look, I am certainly closer to the end of my career than the start. One format may drop off. There is long time before the next one-day World Cup and whether that format continues for me or not… it may open doors for more franchise cricket.”
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this season,” he said.
“It’s been great, it leads into the World Cup, that’s the other side of the benefit of being here against some amazing players in an amazing tournament. It’s a great lead-up to a World Cup.
“Next year – I don’t know the schedule exactly – but I’ve enjoyed it, I look forward to being back next year and hopefully be seen in purple and gold [KKR’s colors] again.”
“I’ve played a lot of cricket, so I know how to manage myself. I haven’t played a lot of T20 cricket in the last few years, so for me, it was trying to find that rhythm of [the] T20 format, and trying to stay ahead of batters,” Starc concluded.
Starc’s consideration of dropping ODIs from his cricketing calendar could mean more appearances in franchise cricket, including the IPL.