Australian champion bowler Mitchell Starc has hinted that he may retire from one of the formats in international cricket to concentrate more on T20 franchise cricket around the world. This announcement comes on the heels of his successful return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) after a nine-year hiatus.

Mitchell Starc’s IPL comeback

Starc made a significant comeback to the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2024, having previously last played in the tournament nine years ago. During this period, he rarely featured in T20 cricket outside of international fixtures. His return was marked by a record-breaking acquisition by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who picked him for an astonishing sum of INR 24.75 crores at the IPL 2024 auction. The hefty price tag initially raised eyebrows and invited criticism, especially after Starc’s mediocre performance in the early stages of the tournament.

Overcoming a slow start

Despite a slow start, where Starc managed only 12 wickets at an average of 33 during the league stage, he showcased his prowess when it mattered most. The left-arm seamer, often hailed as a ‘big game’ player, delivered stellar performances in the crucial knockout matches. In Qualifier 1 and the IPL final against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Starc was devastating, recording figures of 3/34 and 2/14 respectively. These performances were instrumental in KKR’s triumph, as they clinched their third IPL title and Starc was further named Player of the Match in the summit clash.

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Future plans and franchise cricket

Reflecting on his experience, Starc expressed his enjoyment of being part of the IPL this season and confirmed his availability for the next year, expressing a desire to continue playing for KKR in 2025. His future plans suggest a shift in focus towards T20 franchise leagues, which might come at the expense of his international career in one of the formats.

“The last nine years, I’ve prioritised 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. Moving forward… look, I am certainly closer to the end of my career than the start. One format may drop off,” Starc was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Potential retirement

While Starc did not specify which format he might retire from, speculation is rife that he could be considering stepping away from One Day Internationals (ODIs). This is particularly plausible given the timing of his statement and the next ICC World Cup scheduled for 2027 in South Africa. By potentially dropping the ODI format, Starc could manage his workload better and prolong his career in T20 cricket, where he has proven to be exceptionally valuable.

“There is 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. 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,” Starc concluded.

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