Mitchell Starc has not played in the money-spinning Indian Premier League, cricket’s most lucrative tournament, for nine years. He has estimated to have foregone millions of dollars due to his unwavering loyalty of playing for his national team.
But the absolute cauldron of the IPL, and the associated frenzy from the fans who are particularly zealous with their support of their teams, will be something to get used to even for a veteran like Starc who has seen it all in his 12-year international career.
There have been a lot of eyeballs on Starc after he fetched almost $3 million in a record haul in the IPL’s auction in December. Starc, one of the best all-format quicks due to his menacing, left-arm swing bowled at furious speeds, was in a bidding war with Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders desperate for Starc’s services and an intense bidding war ensued.
KKR won, but paid a hefty price. Starc’s debut was much anticipated against Hyderabad, who are captained by his long-time Australian teammate Pat Cummins.
But Starc endured a horror performance in his first IPL match since 2015. He was smashed for 26 runs in a single over and finished with 0 for 53 off four overs.
KKR prevailed by four runs, but the spotlight was on Starc’s tough performance and he copped the brunt of the franchise’s impatience fans. The volatile fandom in India is something that takes time to get used to compared to in Australia, where cricket is not obsessively followed despite it being a hugely popular and traditional sport.
Starc, of course, has been to India many times on duty for Australia, but he will need to lean on his experience and even-keeled temperament to overcome the barbs from his supporter base and beyond.
If there’s anyone who can cope with the expectations than it’s Starc, who has endured a lot of adversity during his long career. An explosive bowler, Starc had to battle inconsistencies having been selected into the Australia team at the age of 21 when the team had gone through a relatively barren period with their quicks.
He also faced sharp criticisms from Australian cricket legend Shane Warne, as Starc found himself in and out of the Test line-up but remained a formidable white-ball bowler. As per the norm with the brutal craft of pace bowling, Starc suffered injuries and there were concerns whether he could stay on the park.
At the middle of last decade, Starc made a decision that very few cricketers are willing to even contemplate. He decided to forego riches, estimated at around $10 million, to concentrate on his international career. With debate ranging about the sanctity of international cricket, as lucrative T20 leagues mushroom around the world, Starc’s loyalty can never be questioned.
It eventually worked a treat with Starc enjoying an indefatigable career and he recently overtook legend Dennis Lillee as Australia’s fourth highest ever wicket-taker. His dedication, and sheer longevity, means Starc is one of Australia’s most recognizable athletes. He is also part of a cricket power couple with wife Alyssa Healy, who is the Australia women’s captain.
The time finally came for Starc to recoup some IPL’s riches, but – as he found against Hyderabad – it’s not all rosy being part of the glitz and glamor of cricket’s biggest tournament.