IPL 2024 Auction: KKR pay special ‘SRK’ tribute to Mitchell Starc after historic deal

Two-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Kolkata Knight Riders broke all records after they succeeded to secure the services of star Australian pacer Mitchell Starc in the IPL 2024 auction for a whopping INR 24.75 crore. Starc became the most expensive buy in IPL history, surpassing compatriot Pat Cummins’s record, who had himself broke Sam Curran’s record (INR 18.50 crore for Punjab Kings) after being signed for INR 20.50 crore by Sunrisers Hyderabad just moments ago.

After securing Starc’s services, Kolkata Knight Riders took to X (formerly Twitter) to post a special tribute to the pacer. Posting an edited picture of Starc as the superhero Iron Man, KKR also paid a special tribute to their owner and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan.

Recreating a scene from one of his movies, the franchise imposed Starc’s face onto SRK’s as the ace pacer returned to his former team. Starc has only played in the IPL for two seasons in 2014 and 2015, where he has taken 34 wickets in 27 matches.

With the huge price tag of INR 24.75 crore attached to him, Starc will have many expectations behind him in the IPL 2024, and competing in the tournament after a hiatus of eight years, the left-arm pacer will be keen on putting in his best performances and justifying his price tag.

KKR in search of third IPL title

KKR also added the likes of KS Bharat and Chetan Sakariya to their squad. The side will be keen on putting in their best showing in the marquee tournament and aim to go all the way. Under Nitish Rana’s leadership, the franchise had a forgettable season in 2023 as they failed to make it to the knockout stages after finishing seventh in the group stages. Kolkata could only win six matches and lost the remaining eight in the league stage. Their regular captain Shreyas Iyer, who missed the 2023 season with an injury, is set to return as skipper for 2024 edition.