Australian legend Glenn McGrath said that Mitchell Starc could be at his best in the upcoming IPL 2024 and not get bogged down by his huge price tag. The pacer became the most expensive player in IPL history during the 2024 auction as Kolkata Knight Riders bought him
for a whopping ₹24.75 crore. Despite being among the most accomplished white-ball bowlers, Starc hasn’t played in the IPL since 2015.

In a Media interaction at the MRF Pace Foundation, McGrath said: “For Starc, he chose not to come to the IPL due to personal reasons. But he comes back and gets a record price. He will be looking forward to it. On his day, if he is moving the ball around, he will be as good as any other fast bowler.”

Meanwhile, Starc’s Aussie teammate Pat Cummins was the second most expensive player in IPL history as the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) bought him for ₹20 crore. However, McGrath feels the experienced duo will do well. While Cummins was appointed as the captain of the SRH franchise, KKR will look to use Starc to strengthen their death-bowling as well.

“The money that they have received is incredible. But they are both very experienced players and know the game well. They are going to go out and play well as they have done in the past. I don’t think it (price tag) will impact them even one percent. It all depends on what he (Starc) wants. I retired when I was 33 and Jimmy Anderson is still moving the ball at 41. It’s about how much game time he gets and how he and his body are enjoying it,” said Glenn McGrath.

“It’s just the attitude of the Australian sports people – they are very competitive and back themselves to perform on the big stage. They used to adapt better before. India is always the toughest place for the Australians to adapt. They haven’t been able to adapt to the spin conditions here as better as other countries do,” concluded Glenn McGrath.