“Money’s nice, but…”: Mitchell Starc Reveals Why He Did Not Play IPL 2023

Indian Premier League is the most attractive T20 tournament in the world and the biggest players want to participate in it for obvious reasons. Some of the big names have even occasionally sacrificed international duties to play in IPL but Australia pacer Mitchell Starc is an exception.

Starc last played in the league eight years ago and. Recently, Starc gave an interview where he made it clear that playing for Australia is his biggest inspiration and he will do everything to prolong his international career. With all being said, it is not easy to refuse such hefty contracts time and again.

Overseas pacers have always been an attractive property in the auction. Starc’s fellow Australian pacers such as Pat Cummins (INR 15.50 crore in IPL 2020), Jhye Richardson (INR 14 crore in IPL 2021), Ryle Meredith (INR 8 crore in IPL 2021), etc. have all gained some heavy bucks in the bidding wars in the recent years.

Mitchell Starc Reveals Why He Did Not Play IPL 2023

Ahead of ICC World Test Championship final, Starc said that playing 100 Tests for Australia is his biggest aim. He insisted that being smart about selecting his matches will be crucial in extending his international career. Starc, however, hinted about participating in IPL 2022 but decided to opt-out both last year and this year.

“To choose not to do certain things to prolong playing for Australia, I’ve tried to be smart about that,” Starc told cricket.com.au.

“Yeah, the money’s nice, but I’d love to play 100 Test matches. Whether I get there or not, I don’t know, but that would be a nice one to tick off. Hopefully, there’s a little bit left in me.”

Starc’s wife, Alyssa Healy, is a wicket-keeper in the Australian women’s cricket team and she also stays busy throughout the year. They have said in the past as well that April is their only off-season month and they want to spend their time together. This is also a big reason behind Starc’s absence from IPL.

Mitchell Starc IPL Auction History

The left-arm bowler has represented Royal Challengers Bangalore for a couple of seasons between 2014-2015. RCB bought him for a price of INR 5 crore in 2014 and he performed excellently for them picking 14 and 20 wickets in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

Starc, 33, made his return during IPL 2018 auction after two years of break. While Kolkata Knight Riders acquired his services for a price of INR 9.4 crore, he could not play that year due to an injury.