Mitchell Starc Breaks Silence on KKR Release, Shines in ODI Against Pakistan
Mitchell Starc, the Australian pacer who made history as the most expensive IPL player in 2024, has expressed his surprise at being released by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the IPL 2025 season.
KKR’s Retention Strategy
As the defending IPL champions, KKR opted to retain six key players, including Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, and Ramandeep Singh. The franchise utilized their full quota of retentions and decided against using any Right-To-Match (RTM) cards in the upcoming auction.
Starc, notably absent from the retention list, admitted he was left in the dark about the decision. “I still haven't heard from them (KKR). It is what it is, that's franchise cricket,” Starc told The Daily Telegraph. He confirmed his availability for the auction alongside his Australian teammates Pat Cummins and Travis Head, barring the Hyderabad-based players.
Starc’s Record-Breaking ODI Performance
While his IPL future remains uncertain, Starc continues to excel on the international stage. In the first ODI against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), he became the fastest bowler to take 100 ODI wickets in Australia, surpassing the record set by compatriot Brett Lee.
Starc reached the milestone in just 54 innings, edging out Lee’s 55 and Glenn McGrath’s 56. He also became the 30th player globally to take 100 ODI wickets in a single country. South African legend Shaun Pollock leads this list with 197 wickets taken in his home country.
Match Highlights
Australia, winning the toss and opting to bowl, restricted Pakistan to 203 runs in 46.4 overs. Starc was the standout bowler, taking three crucial wickets while conceding only 33 runs in his 10 overs. He dismissed openers Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub early, and later took the wicket of Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Other Australian bowlers also contributed, with Pat Cummins claiming 2/39 in 9.4 overs and Adam Zampa taking 2/64 in his full quota of 10 overs.
In reply, Australia faced early setbacks, losing two wickets with just 28 runs on the board. However, a crucial 85-run stand between Steve Smith (44 off 46) and Josh Inglis (49 off 42) helped stabilize the innings. Despite a late surge from Pakistani bowlers that reduced Australia to 185/8, skipper Cummins stepped up with an unbeaten 32 off 31 balls, ensuring a comfortable win with over 16 overs to spare.
Starc’s Player of the Match Performance
Starc’s all-round impact earned him the Player of the Match award as Australia took a 1-0 lead in the series. His precise bowling not only dismantled Pakistan’s top order but also set the tone for a dominant Australian display.
Future Prospects
With the IPL auction looming, Starc’s release from KKR presents a significant opportunity for other franchises to bid for the world-class pacer. His current form and record-breaking achievements make him a valuable asset in any T20 setup.
As Starc continues to shine in international cricket, the IPL 2025 auction will undoubtedly draw considerable attention to where the star bowler lands next.
