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'It's Been 8 Years' - Mitchell Starc Opens Up Ahead of His IPL Return For KKR

Starc, who played for RCB, will turn up for the Knight Riders. (X.com)Starc, who played for RCB, will turn up for the Knight Riders. (X.com)

The most expensive player in the history of the IPL, Mitchell Starc is looking forward to his return to the cash-rich league after nearly nine years, as he gears up to join the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the 2024 edition.

Having last featured in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2014 and 2015, Starc's stint with KKR was cut short in 2018 when he withdrew ahead of the season after being bought for INR 9.4 crore.

At the IPL 2024 auction, Starc shattered records by becoming the second player to attract a bid exceeding Rs 20 crores. His successful acquisition by KKR for Rs 24.75 crores surpassed the previous high set by his teammate and ODI World Cup 2023-winning captain Pat Cummins.

In an interview with cricket.com.au, Starc expressed his excitement about the upcoming challenge, describing the IPL as the premier T20 league globally.

"It's been 8 years, I think. Back to KKR where I was supposed to be in 2018. So I'll be back there for the chance to pull on the gold and purple. I guess my memories are a few and far between of back in 2014 and 2015 with RCB but yeah, really excited to get stuck in. Obviously, a new group of players," said Mitchell Starc while speaking to cricket.com.au. 

All eyes will be on Starc, given the hefty price tag attached to his acquisition.

"A bunch of guys I certainly haven't met or been able to work with before. A couple of guys that I've, international guys that I've played against and come across. Yeah, it's gonna be exciting. It's definitely a new challenge. But yeah, it'll be exciting. It's always a bit of a circus when it is the best T20 league in the world. So, yeah I look forward to it,”  he added.

KKR has already started their preparations with a pre-season camp in Kolkata in build-up for their IPL 2024 opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Eden Gardens on March 23.