Mitchell Starc returned to the Indian Premier League (IPL) after a nine-year-hiatus and won the IPL 2024 title while representing the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Joining the KKR franchise for a whopping INR 24.75 crore, Starc didn’t have the best of starts but the Australian pacer was in top gear during the IPL playoffs. He ended with 3 for 34 in Qualifier 1, versus the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and bettered it with 2 for 14 in the final, on Sunday (May 26), versus the same opponent, to win the Player-of-the-Match award. After the IPL final win, Starc hinted at his ODI retirement in order to prolong his career in franchise cricket. 

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Having missed the IPL for several years, for national duty, Starc hinted at his retirement from one of the formats, mainly the 50-over format, to be more present in franchise leagues. At the post-match presentation, Starc said, “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.”

He further mentioned, “It is an amazing tournament with amazing players and the success has been fantastic.”

Starc added, “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.”

Starc made his IPL debut in 2014, playing for the then known as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He made a mark in 2014-15 but never showed up in any of the following seasons before joining KKR in 2024 and winning the trophy with them.

Starc ended IPL 2024 with 17 wickets in 16 games at an average of 26.11. 

In the IPL 2024 final, KKR rode on Starc’s 3 for 14 to dismiss SRH for a paltry 113 in 18.3 overs, after being asked to bowl first, before Shreyas Iyer & Co. chased it down in 10.3 overs with eight wickets in hand. 

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