Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) CEO Venky Mysore has opted not to comment on recent remarks made by Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who claimed he received no communication from KKR after being released ahead of the IPL 2025 auction.
Starc, who had been KKR’s most expensive buy in the previous season at INR 24.75 crore, revealed that the franchise didn’t inform him of his release, though he accepted it as part of “franchise cricket.”
KKR chose to utilize all six of their retention slots, securing their core lineup. Leading their retained players was Rinku Singh, the breakout star, who they valued at INR 13 crore.
Alongside him, the franchise held onto key players like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Varun Chakaravarthy, each retained for INR 12 crore. Additionally, KKR decided to keep two promising uncapped players, Ramandeep Singh and Harshit Rana, both valued at INR 4 crore. This strategic move left no room for Starc, despite his impressive performance in the 2024 season, where he proved instrumental in KKR’s title run by claiming 17 wickets, including key dismissals during the playoffs.
Starc’s dismissal from KKR’s roster raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike, as his impact in the IPL 2024 playoffs was significant, including a standout 2/14 spell that helped secure KKR’s third IPL title.
Despite initial struggles in the early season, Starc found his rhythm as the tournament progressed, ending the season with a crucial contribution to the team’s success.
Following Starc’s statement, the Times of India reached out to Mysore for clarification. However, Mysore declined to comment and reportedly blocked further contact attempts, including on WhatsApp.
His silence only fueled speculation around Starc’s exclusion and the franchise’s decision-making process.
Considering Starc’s international stature and his strong 2024 IPL performance, he is expected to attract competitive bids in the 2025 auction. With franchises eagerly seeking impactful bowlers with Starc’s experience and skill, his future in the IPL looks bright, and he may well command another lucrative contract in the upcoming bidding war.