IPL 2025: No Mitchell Starc? 3 Australian Players KKR Can Target In Mega Auction

Aashay Chopade

Mitchell Starc might not play for KKR in IPL 2025 (Source:@cricbuzz/X.com)Mitchell Starc might not play for KKR in IPL 2025 (Source:@cricbuzz/X.com)

The IPL 2025 mega auction is just around the corner, and as usual, there is lot of buzz around the event. It is a crucial auction as it would play a big role in determining the future of the franchises in the next three years, and it would be interesting to see how they go about their business.

Kolkata Knight Riders, are the reigning champions and they have made some bold calls ahead of the auction. They have retained six quality players, but decided to release their title-winning skipper, Shreyas Iyer. They released Mitchell Starc as well who is the most expensive player in the history of the IPL and let's see which will be the three Australian players that they will target in the upcoming auction

David Warner

David Warner for DC (Source:@cricbuzz/X.com)David Warner for DC (Source:@cricbuzz/X.com)

Why Will KKR Buy David Warner In IPL 2025 Mega Auction?

The Aussie legend can be a good economical buy for Kolkata Knight Riders. The franchise has 51 Crore in its kitty, so they cannot afford to spend a lot of money on one player, and Warner who is at the fag end of his career can be bought at his base price of 2 Crore or just over it. Also, he still remains a quality batter who can score consistently and would provide a reliable option alongside the wild power-hitting antics of Sunil Narine at the top of the order.

The southpaw is one of the most successful overseas cricketers in the history of the IPL. Warner has an average of over 40 and his career strike rate is also close to 140, speaks a lot about the kind of impact he can makle. He has the big-match credentials as well, which it needed in high-pressure enviorment of the league. So, he could nbe one of the target for KKR in auction.

Nathan Ellis

Nathan Ellis for Australia (Source:@ESPNcricinfo/X.com)Nathan Ellis for Australia (Source:@ESPNcricinfo/X.com)

Why Will KKR Buy Nathan Ellis In IPL 2025 Mega Auction?

KKR bought Mitchell Starc for a whopping amount of 24.75 Crore, but they cannot afford to spend such huge amount this time around. So, buying back Starc might be difficult and in such scenario, Nathan Ellis can be a good overseas pace option. He is a gun-T20 bowler who has lot of varitions in his kitty and has the experience of playing in IPL as well. In 16 IPL matches, he has 18 wickets, while in T20s, he has 180 wickets in 150 matches. 

He mostly bowls difficult overs in a T20 game and could be a great low-profile choice for the reigning champions.

Aaron Hardie

Aaron Hardie in BBL (Source:@SergioCSKK/X.com)Aaron Hardie in BBL (Source:@SergioCSKK/X.com)

Why Will KKR Buy Aaron Hardie In IPL 2025 Mega Auction?

Aaron Hardie is one of the most talented young all-rounders in Australian cricket. He can make impact both with the bat and ball and recently has played for Aussies in white-ball formats. He has made a massive impression in BBL where he bats at 3 and bowls crucial overs, making him a genuine all-rounder.

His average is around 30 in BBL and has 26 wickets as well, and KKR can use him at number 3 in the upcoming IPL which will provide more balance and depth to their squad. He can also bat lower down the order if needed and can be bought at a low price as he is a relatively unknown cricketer.