A couple of months ago, Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc had said that he would “definitely” put in name in the IPL 2024 auction. This news was further confirmed recently that Mitchell Starc will be participating in the IPL 2024 auction, which will take place on December 19 in Dubai.
Barring any injury or a late pull-out, if Mitchell Starc does play in IPL 2024 next year, it will end an 8-year wait for the fans to see the tearaway left-arm Aussie speedster in the IPL.
“I’m definitely going back in (next) year,” Starc told the Willow Talk cricket podcast in September. “Amongst other things, it’s a great lead up to the T20 World Cup. “o a good opportunity to see if anyone’s interested in the IPL, then lead into the T20 World Cup.”
Starc last played in the IPL in the 2014 and 2015 seasons for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Starc snapped 34 wickets in 27 IPL games for RCB in two seasons.
It is believed that Mitchell Starc has missed over $10 million in what could have been his earnings from the IPL over the past 8 years. Through a combination of injuries and rest to be fresh for national duties, Starc hasn’t featured in the IPL since 2015 – he was, however, picked by KKR in the IPL 2018 auction, but missed the tournament due to a late injury.
However, he’s more than just made up for it with success with his country. Starc is now a 2-time ODI World Cup winner, a T20 World Cup winner, and a WTC winner. He has been part of the Australian Test side that has kept the Ashes since 2017.
Now, he is set to be included in the IPL 2024 auction, and it’s certain that multiple teams will eye his services. Not only Starc is a deadly, world-class, experienced left-arm pacer, but also can smash some sixes toward the end of the innings.
3 teams that can get involved in a fierce bidding war for Mitchell Starc in IPL 2024 auction:
Mumbai Indians
It has been reported that the Mumbai Indians are strongly pondering over parting ways with Jofra Archer, who is burning an INR 8 crore hole in their pocket and has played only 5 matches in the past two seasons.
Starc is similar to Archer in the services they provide – a deadly all-phase wicket-taking fast bowler and a handy lower-order smasher. While fans didn’t get to see the dream pair of Bumrah and Archer, the Mumbai Indians fans would love to see the duo of Starc and Bumrah roaring at the Wankhede with wickets and unplayable balls from each other.
Chennai Super Kings
The yellow color already suits Mitchell Starc, given his immense success with Australia for the past decade. The CSK fans would quietly be wishing that CSK can rope in Starc. Firstly, CSK will certainly have the budget and the space in their squad as they are set to release Ben Stokes, Sisanda Magala, and Kyle Jamieson. There’s also a cloud over Moeen Ali’s form.
Second, even though CSK won the title last season, they could always strengthen their pace-bowling attack that includes Chahar, Pathirana, and Deshpande. Starc’s experience in that dressing room would lift the game of other CSK pacers as well.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Of course, the Royal Challengers Bangalore fans cheered the loudest when Starc confirmed his return to the IPL. Starc’s only two seasons in the IPL came in RCB’s red color.
RCB failed to reach the playoffs in IPL 2023, and their squad is set to have multiple changes with Andy Flower coming in as a head coach. RCB’s bowling attack especially looked toothless in many matches at the Chinnaswamy stadium. The addition of someone like Starc will bolster their attack, and who knows, if the stars align perfectly, Starc might help deliver RCB their maiden IPL trophy.
