Mitchell Starc became the most expensive signing in Indian Premier League history, with Kolkata Knight Riders forking out a mind-blowing INR 24.75 crores for the Australian left-arm pace bowler in the IPL Auction 2024. Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans all tried to buy the veteran fast bowler, but to no avail. His base price was 2 crore.
Just 90 minutes earlier, Pat Cummins had broken the record for the most expensive buy in any IPL auction. Incidentally, before the start of the auction, that record was held by Sam Curran, the England all-rounder, who was bought by Punjab Kings for 18.5 crore last year.
Starc last played in the IPL for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2015. He took 20 wickets in 13 games at an average of 14.55 and an economy rate of 6.76 during that season. His best IPL figures of 4 for 15 came on May 6, 2015, against Kings XI Punjab. Starc was bagged by KKR in 2018 for 9.40 crore but opted out because of a right leg injury sustained in March that year.
Auction dynamics are beyond anyone’s imagination!!
20 cr plus buys in the #iplauction2024.
24.75 cr for Mitchell Starc.
Ego buy or a good investment? @BoriaMajumdar and @TrishaGhosal share their views. @ThumsUpOfficial #IPL pic.twitter.com/v9os9z78Hy
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) December 19, 2023
Starc has played 121 T20s, picking up 170 wickets at an average of 19.54. The last time he played a T20I was against Ireland in the 2022 World Cup. Starc has also been a great performer for Australia in 50-over World Cups, having taken 65 wickets at an average of under 20.
Starc nails picture-perfect yorkers and that is twinned with the left-arm angle. Although Starc is better known for his swing bowling, he can also extract bounce from a tall frame and high release.