Australian speedster Mitchell Starc is unlikely to feature in the 12th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as he has been released by his franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) via text message.
The 28-year-old was bought in last season’s auction by KKR for a whopping $1.8 million, but was forced to pull out of the tournament with a leg injury.
He revealed on Wednesday that the franchise’s owners sent him a text message on Monday to tell him he had been released from his contract.
Starc also admitted that playing in the IPL would be a “lovely bonus” and refused to rule out the possibility of being picked up by another side. But it’s more likely he will forgo the IPL to rest up ahead of a grueling winter of cricket in the UK where the World Cup and Ashes will be played back to back over a six-month period.
“I got a text message two days ago from the owners of Kolkata saying I’ve been released from my contract, so at the moment I’ll be home in April,” Starc told reporters at New South Wales training.
“I didn’t go last year with my tibia injury. It was a great opportunity to freshen the body up and let it heal by itself. Barring the little niggle in the hammy I feel pretty good with my body and my strength and the rest of it.
“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.
“At the moment for me, I just want to play as much Test cricket and one-day cricket for Australia as I can. IPL is a lovely bonus on the pay packet but if I miss that to play more Test matches then I’m taking that option,” Starc was quoted as saying.
The reason behind KKR’s de-listing of Starc is thought to be because of the uncertainty around the quick’s availability.
