The 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to commence on March 22 and all the eight franchises are currently gearing up for the cricket's biggest carnival. The training camps are in full swing and players are arriving at their respective franchises. In the latest, Australia superstar Mitchell Starc arrived in Kolkata and joined the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the 2024 IPL. Starc received a traditional welcome and was all smiles with excitement visible on his face as the franchise shared the pictures of the Aussie superstar's arrival.
Pressure on Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc will enter IPL with a tremendous amount of load on his shoulders. Starc, who is making his return to the cash-rich tournament after a gap of eight years, was bought for a historic sum of Rs 24.75 crore by the Kolkata-based franchise. After KKR made Starc the costliest player in IPL history, the weight of expectations on the left-arm fast bowler increased significantly.
Over the years, IPL has witnessed several big-money signings fizzle under the weight of expectations. Starc and the KKR supporters will hope that history doesn't repeat itself in that regard.
Mitchell Starc's IPL career
Starc has only featured in two seasons of the IPL. The Aussie speedster has continuously skipped from participating in the cash-rich tournament to spend some time with his family. It was in 2014 that Starc last featured in the IPL. During that campaign, the Aussie veteran left a lasting impression as he finished with 20 wickets in 13 matches at a stupendous economy rate of 6.76. Overall, Starc has played 27 matches in the IPL, picking 34 wickets at an economy rate of 7.17.
Gambhir deems Starc as the X-factor
KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir has massive expectations from Starc. Gambhir, who captained the franchise to two IPL titles, has deemed Starc as the team's X-factor for the 2024 IPL season.
"I had already said on the auction table that he [Starc] is an X-factor and I am sure he is going to deliver. And there’s no such pressure of a price tag. I hope that what he has done in international cricket, he can do the same for KKR," the former KKR skipper said.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
EXCLUSIVE: When will Rohit Sharma join Mumbai Indians training camp for IPL 2024 and why didn't 'Hitman' join the team earlier? Date and reason revealed
WPL Final: Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell lead congratulatory messages after Smriti Mandhana's RCB lifts 16-year curse
