‘You don’t need extra motivation’: Mitchell Starc on coping criticism about his IPL price tag

Mitchell Starc says he doesn’t need extra motivation after being brutally criticised for his below par performance, given his whopping “price tag” in the first half of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Starc, who was bought for a record 24.75 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders, was magnificent in the business end of the tournament. He ended up with 17 wickets, including five in the two knock-out games, to engineer a dominant title triumph for the Shah Rukh Khan-owned team.

“You don’t need extra motivation. I am here as an overseas international. It’s not like for that last night (Qualifier 1) or this final that I have been brought over here,” he told reporters after the IPL final.

Mitchell Starc rattled SRH with the early strike in the IPL 2024 final. (Sportzpics)

“I am glad to contribute. There are jokes throughout and there is only friendly banter and price tags don’t bother me now as I have had plenty of critics throughout my career.”

Starc on his future

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has hinted that he might quit one format to make room for more franchise cricket in his schedule.

“Last 9 years I have prioritised Australian cricket and IPL has been my time off and give my body a break and spend some time with my wife also. That’s certainly been what the outlook has been for the last 9 years,” he said.

KKR’s Mitchell Starc celebrates the wicket of Shahbaz Ahmed at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

“Moving forward, I am certainly close to the end of my career than the start. One format may be dropped off as there is long time till next World Cup and whether that format drops off or not, that will open doors for a lot of franchise cricket,” the ‘King of Swing’ said.

He mentioned that this year’s IPL will help him in preparing for the T20 World Cup in West Indies starting June 1.

“…that’s the other side of benefit of being here, some amazing players in an amazing tournament and great lead up to WT20 and success has been fantastic. It is great that a lot of players are in good position heading into the World Cup,” he said.

“I don’t know the schedule exactly but I have thoroughly enjoyed and hope to be back next year and hopefully, seen in purple and gold again.”

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