Mitchell Starc all fit to participate in IPL despite recent injury scare

Australian bowling all-rounder Mitchell Starc, who was suffering from a calf problem looked doubtful for the third Test in the ongoing series against South Africa. The injury scare just did not give worry to Australia, but to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as well, especially with the IPL set to kick off next month. However, the 28-year-old recovered and is playing in the Test match. He also bowled 21 overs on the first day of the game and looked in good shape.

Starc. who was purchased by KKR for a lucrative amount of Rs 9.40 crores did not play the last season of IPL as he withdrew from the league just a few weeks before the start to be fit for the international season. The left-hander will be joining his former teammate Mithcell Johnson in the Knight Riders camp.

Commenting on Starc’s fitness Venky Mysore, the CEO of Kolkata Knight Riders, said, “I think Starc’s report was not necessarily very accurate. He is absolutely fine. It’s a bit unfortunate with the injuries. All the reports we are getting, they are making very good progress. Fingers crossed.”

Starc will play a clinical role in the KKR setup

Starc will have a major role to play and the biggest challenge for the pacer will be to keep himself fit for the entire two months of IPL. KKR would hope him to play almost every game and lead the pace attack, which features young brimming pacers in the likes of Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi.

Managing the workload of Mitchell Starc will be the biggest challenge for the franchise. Meanwhile, the team has kicked off the preparations for the upcoming season. Players like R Vinay Kumar, Nagakoti, Shubman Gill attended the camp. Dinesh Karthik, KKR’s captain, will join the camp a few days later. Robin Uthappa, Karthik’s deputy, has joined the camp and is currently overseeing the preparations.

KKR kick off their IPL campaign against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 8 in a home game.