“I’m not sure any words would do it justice, really,” Mitchell Starc opens up about being the most EXPENSIVE player in IPL history

Mitchell Starc was given updates by his wife, who is currently preparing for a Test match in Mumbai.

“I’m not sure any words would do it justice, really,” Mitchell Starc opens up about being the most EXPENSIVE player in IPL history

Mitchell Starc (Image via ESPN)

19th December will be one date Mitchell Starc will remember for a long time. In 2020, he and his Australian compatriots bowled India out for 36. Three years later, he was purchased by Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹24.75 crores in the IPL Auction, the most any team had ever paid for a player. 

Starc was watching the IPL Auction at home, waiting for his name to come up. Over 2:30 hours after it started, his name came up. The pacer watched closely while his wife, Alyssa Healy who is currently in India for a Test Match, kept sending him updates regarding the auction. He was intrigued by how he would do in the Auction, but did not expect himself to become the highest paid cricketer in the IPL. 

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I'm not sure any words would do it justice, really. Alyssa was over there with the Australian team at the minute, so her coverage was slightly ahead of mine here in Australia. So she sort of saw the numbers before I did, so I was getting the updates through her.
Mitchell Starc to Star Sports

He added:

But, yeah, a fair bit of shock, and certainly excitement with how it was all unfolding. But nothing that I could've ever imagined. Thoroughly thrilled to be joining KKR.

Starc was supposed to join KKR in 2018, but was ruled out due to an injury. Since then he has not put his name in the Auction, stating he wanted to manage his workload so that he can be fit for Australia. He claimed that he enrolled for the IPL this year only because of the 2024 T20I World Cup. He also admitted that he was tempted to return to the IPL, but this time he couldn’t pass it.

Mitchell Starc in the IPL 

Mitchell Starc played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2014 and 2015. He played 27 matches and picked up 34 wickets. Known for his pace and swinging abilities, Starc was one of the most feared bowlers in the IPL when he played. Due to injuries and prioritization of Australian cricket, he did not play in the IPL for years. 

Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc overtook fellow Australian, Pat Cummins as the most expensive IPL buy (Image via ESPN)

Now with his return, KKR have found themselves with one of the best pacers in the world. His ability with the new ball is one many teams had chased, but the Knight Riders are the lucky recipients of his skills.  

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