The fiery Australian pacer, Mitchell Starc doesn’t seem to be available for next year’s edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after revealing that his previous owners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) informed him via a text message that he has been released from the contract.
Starc had in January been purchased by KKR for a whopping ₹9.40 crore from a base price of ₹2 crore but was later ruled out of the season on account of a “tibial bone stress fracture in his right leg”, thus making it the third consecutive season he did not turn out in the grand tournament. In 2016 he was injured and in 2017 he opted out to manage his workload during a busy year.
Talking about his exclusion, Starc said, “I got a text message two days ago from the owners of Kolkata saying I’ve been released from my contract. At the moment I’ll be home in April. I obviously didn’t go last year with my tibia injury and it was a great opportunity to freshen the body up, let everything heal by itself.”
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KKR’s decision to release Starc from his contract can be linked to the doubt over his availability for the 12th season of the IPL, as the tournament will conclude just before the commencement of the 2019 ICC World Cup. and how the Australian selectors could opt to rest him to stay in top shape. As per the existing schedule, the IPL goes from March 29 to May 19, followed by the World Cup from May 30.
There are certain chances that the lanky pacer might not get signed by any IPL franchise at next month’s player auction, Starc said he was ready to use the break to prepare for the World Cup and the Ashes in England.
Starc explained, “I guess barring a little niggle in my hammy I’ve felt pretty good with my body and my strength and the rest of it. That little period of time has really paid off for the body. If I don’t play the IPL next year it’s a good opportunity to freshen up for a massive six months of cricket in the UK.”
The first Test between India and Australia starts December 6 in Adelaide.
