IPL 2024: Big bucks man Mitchell Starc joins KKR camp in Kolkata

The most expensive player in IPL history, Mitchell Starc joined the Kolkata Knight Riders camp on Sunday, March 17. The Australia international arrived in Kolkata in the night and went straight to the team hotel, where he received a grand welcome from some fans and the team management. As things stand, he is likely to hit the nets in the evening of March 18 and may participate in KKR’s second practice match, which is likely to place ahead of their opening game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23 at the iconic Eden Gardens.

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Notably, death bowling has been KKR’s biggest concern in recent times. They heavily relied on Andre Russell, who has done well, but consistency remained a concern. To add experience with the new ball and add quality in the death, KKR invested heavily in Starc as they paid INR 24.75 crore to sign the 34-year-old. Meanwhile, they bought him in the 2018 mega auction as well, but the pacer didn’t turn up for the tournament, which infuriated the KKR management. However, they have solved all previous problems and would be hoping to have a cracking season.

Meanwhile, KKR held a practice match on March 18, in which, the key players seemed to be in brilliant form. Both Phil Salt (78 runs off 41 deliveries) and Nitish Rana (50 runs off 30 deliveries) hit a half-century each, while Rinku Singh (37 runs off 16 deliveries) and Andre Russell (13 runs off five deliveries) impressed with their ferocious hits. The batters seemed to be in good form, which should boost the confidence ahead of the new season. With the ball, Varun Chakravarthy picked up two wickets, but he leaked 40 runs as well. 

More or less all the players have joined the KKR camp so far barring Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz. He is currently involved in the T20I series against Ireland in the UAE and will join the KKR squad after their third and final match of the series on March 18.

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