Huge price tag 'shock' to Mitchell Starc, pacer admits it will bring in pressure

Mitchell Starc (Pic: AFP)

Australia's star pacer Mitchell Starc on Tuesday revealed he did not even dream of getting sold for Rs 24.75 crore in the IPL auction 2024 and admitted that the huge price tag would bring in some pressure on him.

Starc became the most expensive buy in the history of IPL when Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore in an intense bidding war to add the 33-year-old to their roster.

"It was a shock, of course. Nothing I could have dreamt of. But no doubt, there will be some pressure that comes with the territory. But having the extra experience I have from my last IPL, hopefully, helps," Starc told Jio Cinema.

"Few ups and downs I've had before but this comes with the territory and I try to be successful and have as much impact as possible."

The 33-year-old left-arm speedster said the intense bidding for his services came as a humbling experience.

"Humbling to still feel like I'm wanted or needed. My gameplay hasn't changed much across formats except a few things here and there. Hopefully, the experience can translate to some success," he said.

Starc's Australian teammate Pat Cummins was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 20.50 crore, Rs 4.25 crore less than his price.

Also Read: Australia's Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins set salary records at IPL auction

Starc said both him and Cummins will have to throw a party to their Australian teammates.

"Pat has gone to Sunrisers, but that's where he was at KKR, and I hope to fill his shoes there. Our Test squad Whatsapp group has been going off to say it's our shout to get dinner next. Something to do ahead of the Boxing Day Test.

"My wife Alyssa (Healy) is with the (Australia) women's (cricket) team in India. So, she was getting updates quicker than what I was seeing on screen," Starc chuckled.

This will be Starc's first IPL since 2015 and he was understandably excited to return to the high-profile league.

"It has been a while. I've been involved with RCB in 2014-15, then picked up by KKR in 2018 but got injured. But I've been prioritising international cricket and Test cricket for Australia.

"Coming into the back end of this year and next year, it's much quieter for Australia as a group so excited to be involved."

Starc said playing in the IPL will be good preparation for him ahead of next year's T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA.

"A good chance (for me) to play some really competitive T20 cricket in the best T20 league going around with a T20 World Cup coming up," he said.

(With agency inputs)