Mitchell Starc‘s return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) after an eight-year absence has made headlines as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured his services for a record-breaking bid of INR 24.75 crore in the 2024 IPL auction. Starc’s wife, Alyssa Healy, who is in India with the Australian women’s cricket team, has praised his dedication and choices that led to this achievement.
Just before Starc’s bid, his compatriot Pat Cummins had set a new record with a bid of INR 20.5 crore from Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, Starc’s bid quickly surpassed this amount, making him the most expensive player in the auction. The bidding war ultimately came down to the Gujarat Titans and the Knight Riders, with the latter securing Starc’s services for the upcoming season.
Alyssa Healy expressed her excitement for Starc, stating that his record-breaking bid is a testament to his hard work and commitment to putting his country first over the past eight years. She emphasized that the decision to prioritize playing for Australia has paid off, culminating in this significant achievement.
Healy remarked, “Look, it is what it is. It is an amazing moment for Mitch. It is a great justification for the hard work he has put in and (for) probably some of the choices he has made over the last eight years to put his country first,” during an interaction with the media as quoted by India Today.
Starc’s last IPL appearance was in 2015 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Despite a long hiatus from the league, his impressive track record in T20 cricket, along with the upcoming T20 World Cup and a lighter international schedule, motivated his decision to return to the IPL. In his previous IPL stint, Starc showcased his bowling prowess with 34 wickets in 27 matches at an average of 20.38 and an economy rate of 7.17.
As Starc prepares to join KKR for the 2024 IPL season, cricket fans eagerly anticipate his return to the league, where he will undoubtedly be a key asset for his team.
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