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In one of the most jaw-dropping moments in IPL auction history, Mitchell Starc became the most expensive player in the tournament after Kolkata Knight Riders secured his services for INR 24.75 crore. The bidding war for the Australia fast bowler began with Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians before Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans went hail mary for him.
Also Read: Pat Cummins becomes first player to cross ₹20 crore mark in IPL 2024 Auction
Mitchell Starc has played only two seasons of the Indian Premier League in 2014 and 2015 with Royal Challengers Bangalore after they brought him to the franchise for INR 5 crore. During those two years of the IPL, he played 27 matches and picked up 34 wickets at an economy of 7.17 runs per over.
Watch the historic moment in IPL auction:
Notably, Kolkata Knight Riders had bought Mitchell Starc for the 2018 season of the IPL for INR 9.40 crore, but he ended up missing that year’s tournament due to an injury. He is among the very few cricketers from Australia who had consistently opted out of the IPL to prolong his international career before deciding to take the opportunity to play the franchise T20 tournament from 2024 onwards.
As far as the bidding war for Mitchell Starc’s signature in the IPL 2024 auction was concerned, Kolkata Knight Riders had to compete with the Gujarat Titans till the very end before their INR 24.75 crore bid proved to be enough. Moreover, the 33-year-old will be bringing his experience of winning big trophies across formats for Australia to his newest IPL team in KKR, to help them regain lost glory.
