In a groundbreaking move at the IPL 2024 auction, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made headlines by securing Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc as the most expensive buy in the history of the Indian Premier League. The Shahrukh Khan-owned franchise invested a staggering Rs. 24.75 crores in Starc, signalling their commitment to fortifying the pace department for the upcoming season.
Formidable Batting Lineup Sets the Stage
KKR walked into the auction with the challenge of fulfilling minimum criteria after retaining the least number of players. The team’s topsy-turvy IPL 2023 season provided valuable insights, and the return of skipper Shreyas Iyer and the emergence of Rinku Singh injected confidence into the squad.
The batting lineup boasts consistency with the presence of Jason Roy, Afghan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and a middle order stacked with the likes of Venkateshwar Iyer, Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, and the explosive Windies all-rounder Andre Russell.
KKR’s strategic move took centre stage as they engaged in an all-time classic auction bid for Mitchell Starc, outbidding other franchises, including Gujarat Titans. The acquisition of Starc at a record-breaking price makes him the most expensive buy in IPL history. This historic purchase underscores KKR’s commitment to infusing world-class talent into their ranks.
Confidence in Mitchell Starc’s Leadership
The franchise, which had relied on Lockie Ferguson and Pat Cummins in previous seasons, decided to bolster their pace attack with the addition of Mitchell Starc. The move reflects KKR’s determination to address any shortcomings in their fast-bowling lineup and enhance their overall bowling dynamics.
The team management expressed confidence in Mitchell Starc’s ability to lead the young pacers in the squad. While Lockie Ferguson and Pat Cummins had been trusted in previous seasons, KKR aims to leverage Starc’s experience and skill to elevate their pace department to new heights.
As KKR gears up for the IPL 2024 season, the acquisition of Mitchell Starc stands as a pivotal moment, and the franchise is poised to redefine their approach to bowling, making them a formidable contender in the upcoming tournament. Cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate witnessing Starc’s impact on the field as he dons the purple and gold jersey for Kolkata Knight Riders.
Kolkata Knight Riders Retained Players Before IPL 2024 Auction: Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Shreyas Iyer (c), Jason Roy, Sunil Narine, Suyash Sharma, Anukul Roy, Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Kolkata Knight Riders Bought Players At IPL 2024 Auction: KS Bharat (Rs. 50 lakh), Chetan Sakariya (Rs. 50 lakh), Mitchell Starc (Rs. 24.75 crore), Angkrish Raghuvanshi (Rs. 20 lakh), Ramandeep Singh (Rs. 20 lakh), Sherfane Rutherford (Rs. 1.5 crore), Manish Pandey (Rs. 50 lakh), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Rs. 2 crore), Gus Atkinson (Rs. 1 crore), Sakib Hussain (Rs. 20 lakh).
Kolkata Knight Riders Full Squad After IPL 2024 Auction: Nitish Rana (vc), Rinku Singh, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Jason Roy, Sunil Narine, Suyash Sharma, Anukul Roy, Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy, KS Bharat (wk), Chetan Sakariya, Mitchell Starc, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Ramandeep Singh, Sherfane Rutherford, Manish Pandey, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Gus Atkinson, Sakib Hussain.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
