Starc is passionate about franchise cricket and could leave one format to make more room

After resisting the lure of lucrative private leagues for almost a decade due to his commitment to the ‘Baggy Green’, Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has hinted he may leave a format to make room for more franchise cricket in his schedule.

Starc, who was bought for a record 24.75 crores by Kolkata Knight Riders, was magnificent in the business end of the tournament. He ended up with 17 wickets, including five in the two knockout matches, to claim a dominant triumph for the Shah Rukh Khan-owned side.

Although the 34-year-old has not specified which format he intends to drop out of, it is likely to be ODI given that the next 50-over World Cup will be in 2027.

“T20s could become more important”

At a request from PTI As for how he would hit the road again after his best year in franchise cricket, Starc hinted that T20s could rise to prominence in his list.

“Over the last nine years I have certainly put Australian cricket first. I’ve stepped away a lot to have a chance to give my body a break and spend some time away from cricket with my wife as well, so that’s definitely where my head has been for the last nine years,” Starc said afterwards his 2/14 victory in the IPL final against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

“Looking ahead, I’m definitely closer to the end of my career than the beginning. A format can be abandoned because there is a lot of time left before the next World Cup and whether that format is abandoned or not, it will open the doors for many cricket franchises,” said the ‘King of Swing’.

‘IPL will help prepare for T20 World Cup’

Starc mentioned that this year’s IPL will help him prepare for the T20 World Cup in the West Indies starting June 1.

“…that’s the other side of the benefit of being here, incredible players in an incredible tournament and great preparation for WT20 and the success has been fantastic. “It’s great that a lot of players are in a good position going into the World Cup,” he said.

He hopes to report to KKR even next year.

“I don’t know exactly about the program, but I really enjoyed it and hope to come back next year and hopefully be seen in purple and gold again.”

“The wickets will no longer be the same in the West Indies”

Starc, like many others, agreed that the Impact Player rule has led to high scores in the IPL, and that the World T20 will not see insane totals like 270. He said he anticipates more help for spinners on worn tracks.

“T20 isn’t as physically demanding as Test cricket and it’s been hot and humid so that plays a part but it’s OK. It would be cooler in the West Indies than here,” he said when asked how his body was holding up after two months of IPL.

“There is the Impact player rule here and that is not the case in the World Cup and after that you have to form a more balanced team and rely more on versatile players. You can’t have your batting all-rounder come in at No. 9, like they do in IPL.

“I don’t think the runs would be that many, I don’t think 270 could be scored…Wickets can play a role because we have seen some high scoring matches here and the wickets won’t be the same at the Antilles.

“They might turn around and will be a bit more tired, and towards the end of the tournament they might pose a bigger threat by staying low and hoping the bowlers will come into play more than they did in the IPL” , did he declare.

“No need for extra motivation for price tags”

During the early phase of trying to find the rhythm, Starc faced a lot of criticism and it was no surprise that his multi-million price tag was an issue. He doesn’t think about it much.

“You don’t need any extra motivation. I am here as a foreign international. It’s not like last night (qualification 1) or this final that I was brought here,” he said.

“I’m happy to contribute. There are jokes everywhere and there are only friendly jokes and the price tags don’t bother me now because I have had a lot of criticism throughout my career,” added Starc.

In the end, his one statement summed it all up. “Tonight was a perfect night.”

(With contributions from the agency)