Mitchell Starc has moved to Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2025 mega auction for Rs 11.75 crore.

The outstanding Australian left-arm fast bowler, has consistently proven to be a game-changer for his teams, even with limited exposure in the IPL. After an impressive debut in 2014 and a solid performance in 2015, he made a highly anticipated return to the IPL in 2024 with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). After the heroics in the last IPL playoff matches, a bidding war was expected for the legendary Australian left-arm fast bowler in this IPL mega auction.

At 34 years of age, Starc became the most expensive player in last year’s IPL auction, commanding a staggering price of Rs. 24.75 crore. His impact on KKR’s journey towards the trophy was undeniable, particularly during the crucial stages of the tournament, where he took a remarkable 17 wickets. In this IPL auction, Starc has been grouped into the first set of marquee players for a base price of Rs. 2 crore.

With his tremendous pace, lethal swing, and pinpoint accuracy, Starc has always been a prime target in the IPL auction. This year promises to be no different, as we can expect a fierce bidding war among franchises for this elite left-arm pacer.

Left-arm fast bowlers command high IPL auction prices due to their scarcity and tactical value. They create difficult angles for right-handed batters and offer vital variation when paired with right-arm pacers. Since batters rarely face left-arm pace in domestic cricket, this unfamiliarity makes them especially effective in matches. Their limited availability and proven impact through bowlers like Starc and Boult drives intense auction competition.

The first bid was for the Aussie pacer made by MI, but immediately, his former team, KKR, joined the fight. DC joined the fight with KKR, as MI left the battle after the bid went up to Rs. 7 crore. RBC joined the bidding war with a bid of Rs. 10.5 crore and KKR left. Finally, DC snapped Starc defeating RCB for a price of Rs. 11.75 crore.