Fresh off his match-winning performance in the IPL 2024 final for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Mitchell Starc has dropped a hint about his cricketing future. While expressing his desire to return to the IPL in 2025, the Australian pace spearhead also suggested a potential format retirement from international cricket.
Dominant display for KKR
Mitchell Starc, acquired by KKR for a record-breaking INR 24.75 crore at the IPL auction, proved his worth throughout the season. His stellar bowling performances, including Player of the Match displays in Qualifier 1 and the final against Sunrisers Hyderabad, were instrumental in KKR’s championship victory.
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Return after long hiatus: Mitchell Starc
This IPL stint marked Starc’s comeback to the league after a seven-year absence. Prioritizing national commitments, he last played in the IPL with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2015. However, his current career stage seems to have shifted his perspective.
Potential format retirement for Mitchell Starc
The 34-year-old pacer hinted at potentially retiring from one of the international cricket formats, most likely ODIs, to dedicate more time to franchise leagues such as the IPL.
“For the past nine years, my focus has definitely been on Australian cricket,” Mitchell Starc stated after his IPL final heroics. “Missing seasons for breaks and spending time with family was a priority.”
Prioritizing T20s and Franchise Cricket
“Being closer to the end than the start of my career,” Mitchell Starc continued, “dropping one format might free up space for franchise cricket, especially with the next World Cup still some time away.“
Starc, who tasted recent international success with Australia’s World Test Championship and ODI World Cup victories in 2023, acknowledged the IPL’s benefit in preparing players for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.
“This IPL season provided a fantastic lead-up to the World Cup,” he said. “Sharing the field with amazing players in this incredible tournament has been incredible. The success of many players here bodes well for the World Cup.”
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Eyes set on KKR return in IPL 2025
Concluding with a hopeful note, Mitchell Starc expressed his desire to return to the Kolkata Knight Riders in the upcoming season. “While I haven’t seen the schedule yet,” he shared, “I truly enjoyed this season and hope to return next year, back in the purple and gold.”
