Australian left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc created history in the IPL 2024 auction by becoming the most expensive purchase in the history of IPL. The two-time World Cup winner with Australia, who made himself available for the IPL auction after last featuring in the league in 2015, was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for a massive 24.75 crores. The two-time former IPL winners broke the record for the most money ever spent on a single signing.
The 33-year-old pacer becoming a record signing for a record amount for KKR is creating headlines not just in India but in his homeland as well. During the ongoing Boxing Day Test between Australia and Pakistan in Melbourne, a former Australian cricketer pulled out a hilarious prank on Mitchell Starc for securing the historic deal. After the first day’s play at the MCG got interrupted due to rain, the left-arm pacer joined former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting and former pacer Trent Copeland for a conversation.
During the chat, Copeland tried to pull Mitchell Starc’s leg. The former fast bowler, who played three Test matches for Australia in 2011, tried taking a jibe at Starc with a gesture of ‘coughing money’. He coughed a bit, bringing a currency note out of his hands and saying, “Sorry… Stitch up, mate.”
As the currency fell on the floor, Mitchell Starc picked the note back up and put it in Copeland’s pocket, saying, “You might need that, mate.” The video of this incident was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by the broadcaster, and it went viral on the internet.
Watch- Mitchell Starc’s Epic Comeback After Former Cricketer Tries Pulling His Legs
.@copes9 tried to stitch Mitch Starc up after the recent IPL auction news, but Starc had the reverse card ready ? pic.twitter.com/ldQuVncHNi
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 26, 2023
Mitchell Starc is now the most expensive purchase in the history of the Indian Premier League. Apart from him, his fellow Australian teammates were also picked for big sums including Australia’s Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins and Australian pacer Spencer Johnson.
Apart from Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins also broke the 20 crore barrier as he was bought by the SunRisers Hyderabad for a massive 20.50 crore. Australian pacer Spencer Johnson got 10 crores by Gujarat Titans. This year has been really good for Australia as they won the ICC World Test Championship, retained the Ashes, and extended their record by winning the ODI World Cup for a sixth time.
Mitchell Starc was also picked up by the KKR in the 2018 IPL auctions but he missed out that year due to an injury and after that he did not put his name for the IPL for five years. He will be playing in the IPL after nine years and KKR will hope that he justifies his price tag and contributes towards the franchise’s success.
Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins became the two most expensive purchases in the history of IPL. The two World Cup winners raked in more than 45 crores together and now they will be playing in India’s most lucrative T20 League.
