Australian speedster Mitchell Starc is set to play for Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2025. Mitchell Starc was bought by DC in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction at 11.75 crores. Starc received a lot of flak from world cricket & fans when he pulled out of ICC CT 2025 citing he had a niggle.
Mitchell Starc was the million-dollar baby in the IPL 2024 mini-auction when he got a whooping amount of 24.75 crores, the then-highest in IPL history. Starc was a part of KKR’s 2024 triumph and had taken 17 wickets in 14 matches. Mitchell Starc over the years has prioritized Australia over IPL contract as after 2015 edition, he registered his name in the auction.
We have to move with the times- Michael Clarke
Michael Clarke was having an interaction with the ‘Beyond 23 Cricket’ podcast. Clarke stated that money has become a huge factor for cricketers and now many cricketers would sacrifice playing for their nation in order to get hefty amount of money. Clarke pointed out that Mitchell Starc had openly said that he was happy with having an IPL contract & opting out of ICC CT 2025.
“Mitchell Starc has sacrificed IPL deals over the years to represent Australia. He pulled out of the Champions Trophy, I think he had a niggle, but he openly said that he has got the IPL. I grew up in an era where representing your country was the most important thing,” said Michael Clarke.
“We have to move with the times, you have to be realistic and understand that these players, with these sort of numbers. You cannot be grumpy at an Australian cricketer that is going to get 2 or 3 million dollars for eight weeks of work, for prioritizing the IPL,” he added.
Questionable statement by Michael Clarke
Mitchell Starc is an all-format player who only doesn’t play white ball cricket. It is often said that fast bowlers don’t play till 38-39 years of age as maintaining the fitness level is an arduous thing. Perhaps Michael Clarke is forgetting that Mitchell Starc bowled 153.2 overs in BGT 2024-25 & played all 5 Test matches; he was also a part of the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy which began within a month’s time & might be exhausted with red ball cricket which requires mental toughness.
Starc has been a prominent figure in World cricket as staying away from IPL and any other franchise league for 9 years is laudable. Clarke’s statement of encouraging Australian cricketers to be a freelancers & play franchise cricket is quite unusual. In modern cricket where some cricketers do a favor by playing for the nation, such statements from Clarke & Starc aren’t doing any good for the sport.
Also Read:Â IPL 2025 : Dinesh Karthik & Mitchell Starc Lauds Indian Talent Depth