Mitchell Starc played a crucial role in helping the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secure their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 2024, delivering back-to-back player-of-the-match performances. Following his stellar contributions in the tournament, Starc hinted at a potential shift in his career focus, contemplating retirement from One Day Internationals (ODIs) to participate more in franchise cricket worldwide.
Starc’s return to the IPL has been nothing short of spectacular. After years of prioritizing international cricket, the Australian fast bowler decided to rejoin the cash-rich league, a decision that paid off handsomely with a title win. Historically, Starc had chosen to stay away from the IPL to manage his workload and concentrate on his commitments with the Australian national team. However, his success this season with KKR has prompted him to reconsider his future plans.
In a press conference following KKR’s commanding eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2024 final, Starc shared his thoughts on possibly stepping away from ODIs. “The last nine years, I’ve prioritized Australian cricket. I have given myself a chance to give my body a break and spend some time away from cricket with my wife as well, so that’s certainly been where my head’s been for the last nine years,” Mithcell Starc reflected.
WATCH – Rinku Singh’s Joyful Vlogging After KKR’s IPL 2024 Final Win Delights Fans
Looking ahead, Mithcell Starc acknowledged that he is nearing the end of his career and hinted that he might drop one format, potentially ODIs, especially with a long gap before the next one-day World Cup.
He added, “Moving forward… look, I am certainly closer to the end of my career than the start. One format may drop off. There is a long time before the next one-day World Cup and whether that format continues for me or not… it may open doors for more franchise cricket.”
‘One format may drop off’: Starc hints #ODI retirement to prioritise franchise cricket
.
.#KKRvsSRH #SRHvsKKR #IPLFinal #IPL2024Final #KKR #MitchellStarc #MitchellStarcRetirement #Taiwan #CycloneRemal #LiveAfterDeath #divorce https://t.co/v1f1d5NOBF— Bhaskar Live (@bhaskarlivein) May 27, 2024
Mithcell Starc expressed his enjoyment of the current IPL season and its benefits as a lead-up to the World Cup. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this season. It’s been great, it leads into the World Cup, that’s the other side of the benefit of being here against some amazing players in an amazing tournament. It’s a great lead-up to a World Cup.”
Despite his initial struggles this season, where he conceded 100 runs in his first two games without taking a wicket, Starc’s performance improved dramatically as the tournament progressed. His match-winning figures of 3-34 in Qualifier 1 and 2-14 in the final against SRH highlighted his ability to deliver under pressure, ultimately leading KKR to a dominant campaign and a resounding victory in the final.
Reflecting on his future, Mithcell Starc expressed a desire to continue his association with KKR. “Next year – I don’t know the schedule exactly – but I’ve enjoyed it, I look forward to being back next year and hopefully be seen in purple and gold (KKR’s colors) again.”
ALSO READ: Hardik Pandya Misses Indian Squad’s Departure To New York, Reportedly on Vacation
Starc’s possible shift away from ODIs could mean more appearances in franchise cricket, including the IPL. Despite being the most expensive player in IPL auction history, fetching Rs. 24.75 crore by KKR, he proved his worth with crucial performances that were pivotal in KKR’s successful campaign.
“I’ve played a lot of cricket, so I know how to manage myself. I haven’t played a lot of T20 cricket in the last few years, so for me, it was trying to find that rhythm of [the] T20 format, and trying to stay ahead of batters,” Mithcell Starc concluded, highlighting his adaptability and enduring passion for the game.
