Australia fast bowler and KKR's hero in the playoffs of Indian Premier League 2024, Mitchell Starc has hinted at ODI retirement to free up more schedule for franchise cricket. Speaking at the post-match press conference after winning the IPL, Starc said that he would like to return next year to play in the tournament. The fast bowler said that he had prioritised Australia in the last 9 years of his life but that is slightly going to change as he is nearing the end of his career.
Starc, who was bought for the highest amount of money in the Indian Premier League's history in the 2024 auction, had returned to play the IPL for the first time since 2015. Starc's valuation of Rs 24.75 crore raised eyebrows at the time. The criticism grew after his poor start in the first half of the IPL, but the pacer hit back and turned the heat up when it mattered the most.
Starc revealed his plans in the near future and said that he had loved being a part of the Indian Premier League this season. Starc confirmed his availability for the next year and hoped that he would get to play for KKR in 2025.
"Last 9 years I have prioritised Australian cricket and IPL has been my time off and give my body a break and spend some time with my wife also. That's certainly been what the outlook has been for the last 9 years. Moving forward, look, certainly I am closer to the end of my career than the start, so, one format may drop off. It is a long time away, the next ODI World Cup and whether that format continues for me or not, it may open doors for more franchise cricket, so, I have thoroughly enjoyed this season, it leads into the World Cup, so that's the other side of it, the benefit of being here. It is an amazing tournament with amazing players and the success has been fantastic," Mitchell Starc said in the post match press conference.
"Next year, I don't know the schedule exactly, but as I said, I enjoyed it and I look forward to being back next and hopefully it is purple and gold next year once again," he further added.
Starc confirming his availability would put KKR in a pickle. Given that they are the champion side, the retentions are anyway going to be tricky. But with Starc stating that he is available as well, KKR will have to choose from Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Phil Salt, Harshit Rana and now Starc.
The Australian will be flying out to the USA in the upcoming days and will join the Australian side just before their first group-stage match in the T20 World Cup 2024.
