Since the last Ashes, Mitchell Starc is looking more lethal and accurate just like he was a few years down the line. Starc has been on the money and one can say that he has found his golden touch back.
Being one of the best left-arm fast bowlers of modern cricket, he would grab the attention of all the eight franchises. Especially those who are looking for a genuine pacer in their squad for the upcoming season.
Speaking about his IPL performances, he has played only two editions of the cash-rich league. He debuted for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2014 and grabbed 14 wickets in 14 matches at an economy rate of 7.49 with a below-par average of 28.71.
Though, the next season of the Aussie speedster went better as he took 20 wickets in 13 matches with an economy rate of 6.76 and a brilliant average of 14.55.
Since he hasn’t played the last few seasons, there are strong chances that he can make his comeback in the 2020 edition.
Let’s have a look at the three teams that could bid for Starc:
- Royal Challengers Bangalore
There were instances when it looked like RCB lost few matches (in which they were totally in command) mainly because of their weak bowling. Finishing at the last spot in 2019, RCB would be looking to change the fortunes. It is expected that they might go for a genuine pacer and what better option it could be than to go for an old team-mate.
Starc also knows what it requires to be fit enough to deliver while performing for the RCB. He has played 27 matches for the Challengers and taken 34 wickets with 4/15 being his best.
RCB has INR 27.90 crores purse and six overseas slots available, so there is a strong probability that in the upcoming auction of players, they can go for Starc.
- Kings XI Punjab
Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) has the largest purse with a whopping INR 42.70 crores remaining, so it won’t be a surprise if one sees them going for the best players. At present, KXIP have a decent pacer in the form of Mohammed Shami, but they need another genuine fast bowler after the release of Ankit Rajpoot.
Rajpoot didn’t play all the matches for Punjab because of his lousy form. He played only four games in the last season and took three wickets with a penurious average that crossed over 50. Therefore, KXIP needs a fast-bowler who not only can provide early breakthroughs but also bowl better in the death overs, and Starc fulfills both the criteria.
- Kolkata Knight Riders
In the 2018 auction, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) snapped Mitchell Starc for INR 9.4 crore from RCB, but owing to a stress fracture he was unable to play the whole season. And ahead of the 2019 auction, Starc himself revealed that he got a text message from the owners stating that he has been released from his contract.
However, Knight Riders CEO Venky Mysore clarified the doubts that Starc has been released because of his unavailability due to the 2019 World Cup.
Currently, KKR have Lockie Ferguson and Shivam Mavi among the pacers. They also have Kamlesh Nagarkoti, but he seems to be unfit as he missed out on the recent Emerging Teams Asia Cup tournament.
The Knight Riders have 4 overseas spots left so they could bid for the New South Wales-born Starc.
