In 2024, Australia’s premier fast bowler, Mitchell Starc, is poised for a much-anticipated return to the Indian Premier League (IPL). His aim is to prepare diligently for the upcoming T20 World Cup set to take place in the West Indies and the USA in June. Starc’s previous IPL stint was back in 2015 when he represented Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) under the captaincy of Virat Kohli.
During his IPL career, the left-arm pace sensation has participated in 27 matches, securing 34 wickets with an economy rate of 7.17, which includes a memorable four-wicket haul (4/15). In the 2014 season, he featured in 14 games and returned to RCB in 2015 for 13 matches.
Unfortunately, injury forced him to withdraw from playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2018. Starc has, on other occasions, prioritized national duty over lucrative IPL contracts.
However, with the T20 World Cup on the horizon in June of the following year, Starc recognizes the IPL as the perfect platform for his preparation and is eager to participate in the 17th edition of the league.
He expressed his intent during an interview on the Willow Talk Cricket Podcast, saying, “Look, it’s been eight years. I’m definitely going back next year. Among other things, it’s a great lead-up to the T20 World Cup. So a good opportunity to see if anyone’s interested in the IPL, then lead into the T20 World Cup. And it’s somewhat of a quiet winter next year… in comparison to this winter, so I think a perfect opportunity to put my name in.”
Starc shows no signs of slowing down and harbors ambitions of not only reaching the milestone of 100 Test matches for Australia but also extending his ODI cricket career.
However, Starc remains aware of the emerging talent within Australia’s pace bowling ranks, which promises to intensify competition for national team spots. Starc, hailing from New South Wales, has already notched up 82 Test appearances and is determined to reach the coveted 100-Test mark.
