Mitchell Starc is likely to miss IPL 2019. (Source: BCCI/IPL)
Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc on Wednesday revealed that he has been released by Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders. The left-arm seamer, who was out for the entire 2018 season due to a leg injury he sustained during the South Africa Test tour, told reporters in Sydney that he was informed by the club about his release via a text message.”I got a text message two days ago from the owners of Kolkata saying I’ve been released from my contract,” the 28-year-old was quoted as saying by Cricket Australia official website.
The bowler added that he will most likely be at home during the 2019 IPL season. “At the moment I’ll be home in April. I obviously didn’t go last year with my tibia injury and it was a great opportunity to freshen the body up, let everything heal by itself. I guess barring a little niggle in my hammy I’ve felt pretty good with my body and my strength and the rest of it,” he said.
Starc added that if he rests during the next IPL season, he will get time to freshen up his body before the World Cup in England. “That little period of time has really paid off for the body. If I don’t play the IPL next year it’s a good opportunity to freshen up for a massive six months of cricket in the UK,” he said.
Starc was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping Rs 9.4 crore at the auctions last season. But he could not play last season and was replaced by England’s Tom Curran in the KKR squad.