Starc’s Spectacular Return to IPL
Mitchell Starc’s triumphant return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) culminated in a spectacular victory in the 2024 season. Starc, who played a crucial role in KKR’s success, delivered player-of-the-match performances in back-to-back games, including the final against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), which KKR won by eight wickets to claim their third IPL title.
Hints at ODI Retirement
After the final, Starc hinted at a possible retirement from One Day Internationals (ODIs), citing the long gap before the next one-day World Cup. He expressed a desire to shift his focus to franchise cricket around the world. “The last nine years, I’ve prioritised 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 mentioned during the post-match press conference.
Reflecting on His Career
Reflecting on his career, Starc acknowledged being closer to the end than the beginning. “One format may drop off. There is a 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,” he said.
Remarkable Journey Back to IPL
Starc’s journey back to the IPL was remarkable. Known for avoiding the league in his prime to manage his workload and prioritize international duties, his decision to rejoin the IPL paid off significantly. Despite a rough start to the season, where he gave away 100 runs in his first two games without taking a wicket, Starc’s form improved dramatically. His match-winning figures of 3-34 and 2-14 in Qualifier 1 and the final, respectively, underscored his ability to perform under pressure.
Enjoying the Season
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this season,” Starc remarked. “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 colours) again.”
Managing His Workload
Starc, the most expensive player in IPL auction history, secured by KKR for Rs. 24.75 crore, expressed his satisfaction with the season. “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,” he concluded.
Future in Franchise Cricket
Starc’s potential ODI retirement signifies a shift in his career, possibly leading to more frequent appearances in franchise cricket, including the IPL, where he has already proven his worth.(Dubai7 realmoneygame)