Mitchell Starc drops shocking retirement confirmation from a format to focus on IPL career

Mitchell Starc has hinted that he might be back next season and also play for the same franchise Kolkata Knight Riders. Mitchell Starc also added that hinted that he might retire from the ODI format soon.

Mitchell Starc returned to Indian Premier League after a gap of 8 years. He last played in IPL 2015 for RCB. He was also picked by KKR in a later edition of the auction but was ruled out due to injury.

Over the last 8 years, fans always wanted Starc to return to IPL. However, Starc persisted with his decision to skip the tournament to focus on international cricket.

I look forward to being back next year in IPL: Mitchell Starc

While speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, Starc said he loved the tournament and might be back next season. He also noted that he will play for KKR.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed this season. It's been great, it leads into the World Cup, that's the other side of the benefit of being here against some amazing players in an amazing tournament. It's a great lead-up to a World Cup.

"Next year - I don't know the schedule exactly - but I've enjoyed it, I look forward to being back next year and hopefully be seen in purple and gold (KKR's colours) again."

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Notably, Starc has been a crucial member of the Australia team in ICC events since the ICC ODI World Cup 2015, when Australia won the World Cup at home for the first time. He was also part of the side in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 and led the side to win the trophy.

He, along with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, played a big role in grabbing the ODI World Cup 2023 in India by defeating the men-in-blue inside their own ground.

Mitchell Starc hints at retiring from ODI format

Mitchell Starc also hinted that he might gradually retire from international cricket by pulling down the curtain in one of two formats. He also added that he played in the IPL to form his rhythm for T20 cricket and tried to stay ahead of the batters.

"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 T20 format, and trying to stay ahead of batters."

"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," he further said.

"Moving forward… look, I am certainly closer to the end of my career than the start. One format may drop off. 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," he signed off.

Meanwhile, Starc picked crucial wickets in the playoffs during IPL 2024. He picked up 2 wickets in his first two overs in the final. He also dismissed dangerous Travis Head in the Qualifier 1 game to dismantle the SRH Army from going big in 1st innings.