IPL Auction 2025: KKR CEO shuts door on Mitchell Starc's return to franchise

As the grand stage is set for the IPL 2025 Mega Auction in Jeddah, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) CEO Venky Mysore has confirmed that the franchise is unsure about going after their record signing of the last season and ace Australian pacer Mitchell Starc.

Ever since the defending champions announced their retentions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been making waves with their strategic approach to building a formidable squad for the next three seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Venky Mysore hints at a new approach for KKR in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction

With the massive buzz surrounding Mitchell Starc, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) CEO Venky Mysore addressed growing questions about the Australian pacer’s potential return to the team. He hinted that the KKR has prepared the strategies for the mega auction differently from the last mini-auction.

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According to Mysore, the IPL 2025 mega auction is about laying a long-term foundation for the next three seasons, unlike the IPL 2024 mini-auction, where decisions were more opportunistic, so it makes it an entirely different ball game.

Mysore hinted that the KKR is now looking at a more calculated and strategic approach to selection, as they are aiming to build a squad that can compete for years, which is a clear hint that Mitchell Starc is not on their radar at the IPL 2025 mega auction.

Mitchell Starc’s return to KKR in doubt as they shift focus to long-term strategy

Venky Mysore was quoted as saying by Jio Cinema, “A lot of people have asked me this, but it was a different thing in the mini auction. Now Mega Auction is a completely different scenario where the focus is on building the right type of squad, and you're building it for the next three years when you're not being opportunistic, but I would like to say more strategic.”

Earlier, Mitchell Starc expressed the thrill of seeing his Kolkata Knight Riders teammate, Harshit Rana, make a dream debut for Team India on Day 1 of the ongoing first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Starc praised the delivery on which Harshit claimed the key wicket of Travis Head.

The Australian speedster has further mentioned that Harshit Rana would always remember Travis Head as his first Test scalp. However, Starc didn’t have a great outing, as he finished with 2/14 in 11 overs in the first innings and 1/111 in 26 overs in the second innings against India in Perth.

Starc hails his Ex-KKR teammate Harshit Rana

Starc had said at the press conference, “It was a good ball. Yeah, I've only seen him with the white ball, so I haven't seen any of his longer-format stuff. But he's got some good stuff. I saw him through the IPL last year, and the ball to Travis Head was another good ball today. So, I'm sure that's one he'll cherish—his first wicket.”

Now, Australia needs 522 runs to win the first Test against India. However, Harshit Rana was retained by the KKR for INR 4 crore in the uncapped player category.