Turning down profitable offers from IPL in past helped Starc to improve his game

Australia’s Mitchell Starc during a nets session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday. Pic/Getty Images

Senior Australian seamer Mitchell Starc admitted that he had in the past turned down multiple lucrative offers from the IPL to prioritise his international career, which has "helped" him in improving his game.

Starc has been roped in by two-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2024 for a record Rs 24.75 crore during the auction last week, and it would be his first stint in the tournament since 2015.

Gujarat Titans and KKR were involved in a long and exhilarating bidding battle for Starc before the latter lapped him up for a record deal. Starc, 33, has usually prioritised international duty over IPL but decided to enter the auction with one eye on the T20 World Cup that follows the IPL 2024. He has played only two seasons of the IPL, taking 34 wickets in 27 games at an average of 20.38.

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Starc said that the break during the IPL allowed him to recharge himself and stay fit for the international assignments.

"Juggling one cricket schedule is hard enough, let alone when there's two in a relationship. So, I've always spent that time away from cricket with Alyssa or time with family and recharging my body for being as fit and as ready as I can for Australian cricket," he was quoted as saying by AAP.

"I don't regret any of it. I think it's certainly helped my Test cricket. The money is always nice and certainly was this year, but I've always prioritised international cricket, and I think that's helped my game."

Starc's last outing in the IPL was with Royal Challengers Bangalore, the only team he has represented in the competition till date. Signed by the side in 2014, he has featured in 27 matches so far, scalping 34 wickets at an economy of 7.17 and best figures of four for 15.

(With agency inputs)