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All eyes will be on Mitchell Starc in the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League as the Australia pacer became the costliest buy in the history of the IPL auction.
The left-arm pacer was acquired by the two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping total of Rs 24.75 crore. This season will mark his return to the cash-rich tournament as he last played the IPL in 2015 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. During that time, RCB was under the captaincy of star India batter Virat Kohli.
Recently, Starc opened up on his time with RCB and also called Kohli a ‘fierce competitor’.
“I do remember fondly the couple of years that I had at the RCB alongside Virat. He was the captain as well. That was the first time I got to know him properly, particularly off the field,” said Starc in a video posted on X by Star Sports.
“He is such a different person off the field. Such a humble and warm character off the field and then fiercely competitive on it. I remember that the most about him,” he added.
Not only Starc but Australia skipper Pat Cummins also became an expensive buy at the IPL 2023 auctions as he was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 20.50 crore.
Earlier this month, former South African all-rounder Chris Morris, hailed the record-breaking bid of Starc by KKR, saying that it will add some pressure on him but the pacer will be able to justify it with his performances and experience.
“It is excellent. The bidding is out of our control. If you compare cricket with what other sports are paying, it is great that the best players in the world are being paid the highest. It is an excellent achievement but also brings additional pressure. But they (Cummins and Starc) can handle that pressure, that is why they were bought for so much money.
