IPL AUCTION HIGHEST BID 2024 : KKR Shatters Records, Splashes Rs 24.75 Crore to Make Mitchell Starc the Most Expensive IPL Buy Ever

Starc Sets IPL Record: Kolkata Knight Riders Splurge Rs 24.75 Crore on Australia’s World Cup-Winning Pacer”

Mitchell Starc, the accomplished Australian pacer and World Cup winner, created history in the Indian Premier League (IPL) by becoming the costliest player ever. Kolkata Knight Riders secured his services for a whopping Rs 24.75 crore in the IPL 2024 auction held in Dubai. This acquisition made Starc the second player to breach the 20-crore mark in the auction, following his teammate Pat Cummins, who was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 20.5 crore on the same day.

Entering the auction with a base price of Rs 2 crore, Starc attracted competitive bids from Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. The intense bidding war escalated when Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans joined, eventually leading to the Kolkata-based franchise securing Starc at a record-breaking price.

Starc, Australia’s premier bowler, makes a return to the IPL after an eight-year hiatus. He had refrained from participating in the IPL since 2015, prioritizing national duties. Starc’s last stint in the IPL was in 2018 with Kolkata Knight Riders, but an unfortunate right tibial bone fracture resulted in him missing the entire season.

The left-arm pacer’s earlier IPL journey comprised two seasons with the Royal Challengers Bangalore. In 2014, he showcased his bowling prowess with 14 wickets in 14 matches, and in 2015, he took 20 wickets in 13 matches, boasting an outstanding average of 14.55.

Beyond the IPL, Starc played a crucial role in Australia’s sixth ODI World Cup victory, claiming 16 wickets in 10 matches during the tournament. As he returns to the IPL, fans eagerly anticipate the resurgence of the seasoned Australian pacer on the T20 stage.

Starc’s recent track record in limited-overs cricket is impressive. In ODIs over the past two years, he amassed 41 wickets in 22 games, maintaining an economy rate of 4.26 in 2022. Despite a slight uptick to 6.16 in 2023, Starc’s overall performance remains commendable. In T20Is during 2022, he claimed 13 wickets in 10 matches, including a career-best bowling figure of 4/20, showcasing his proficiency in the shortest format of the game.