IPL 2024: Mitchell Starc set to return to IPL after eight years - ' I'm definitely going back in'

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Mitchell Starc is likely to feature in the IPL for the first time since 2015 after deciding to put his name in the auction ahead of the 2024 edition. The 33-year-old last played an IPL match in May 2015 when he turned up for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

The Australian pacer, who has often prioritised national duty over IPL participation, has played two seasons for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) with the last one being in 2015. He has played a total of 27 IPL matches and picked 34 wickets at an average of 20.38 and an economy rate of 7.17.

The left-arm quick feels an IPL stint before the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA next year makes a lot of sense.

"Look, it's been eight years. I'm definitely going back in (next) year," Starc told the 'Willow Talk' cricket podcast.

"Amongst other things, it's a great lead-up to the T20 World Cup. So a good opportunity to see if anyone's interested in the IPL, then lead into the T20 World Cup. And it's somewhat of a quiet winter next year…in comparison to this winter, so I think a perfect opportunity to put my name in."

Starc, who has represented Australia in 82 Test matches, is carrying an amibition to play 100 red-ball matches in the Baggy Green.

"Not just get to 100, I'd like to be good enough to be picked for 100 Tests. And then the big one obviously in a couple of weeks is the World Cup, which in India just goes to another level.

"And then you look at the one-day format, it's sort of four years in between World Cups, so where do I see myself in that mix? But I've got to get to the end of this World Cup first."

Talking about the next generation of Australian pacers, Starc said, "We've got some superstars coming through. You've got your Jhye Richardsons, your Sean Abbotts, your Spencer Johnsons.

"You've got plenty of young guys coming through. (Lance) Morris is going to be a gun."

He said he does not want to look too far ahead with anything but hoping to do well in the ODI World Cup 2023 which starts from October 5 in India. Australia will play their first match against the hosts on October 8 in Chennai.

"Then we've got five Test matches here in Australia and then I haven't actually played a Test in New Zealand, so hopefully I'm on that tour and look forward to that challenge as well."