Australias ace pacer Mitchell Star is set to return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2024 after eight long years. Starc participated in the IPL back in the 2014 and 2015 editions of the league for the RoyaL challengers Bangalore.Starc eyes tournament as an important preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup, held in the West Indies and the USA in June 2024. The upcoming year promises a lighter workload for Australia, hence the 33-year-old Pacer is looking to give a nod to his name in the auction. In the Willow Talk Cricket Podcast about his IPL ambitions, Starc said,Look, its been eight years. Im definitely going back next year. Among other things, its a great lead-up to the T20 World Cup. And its somewhat of a quiet winter next year in comparison to this winter.” Desire to play 100 Tests The left-handed pacer has also expressed his desire to play 100 tests for Australia and has hinted that he is unsure of his future in the ODI format post-World Cup. “It took me a long time to feel like I was good enough for Test cricket. So I want to really give that the biggest crack Ive got. Ive thoroughly enjoyed white-ball cricket, and thats probably where I got my main opportunities in as well. Id like to be good enough to get to 100 tests. Not just get to 100, Id like to be good enough to be picked for 100 tests.”Mitchell Starc confirms that he will be part of IPL 2024 mini-auction.– Starc is back in IPL after 9 years. pic.twitter.com/0bbzgIh05z— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 7, 2023 Furthermore, he added, Weve got some superstars coming through. Youve got Jhye Richardsons, Sean Abbott, Spencer Johnsons. Youve got plenty of young guys coming through (Lance) Morris is going to be a gun. I try not to look too far ahead with anything.”Heading to IndiaMitchell Starc is in Australias 15-member ODI World Cup squad, which was announced on Wednesday. Before the mega tournament, Australia are also scheduled to play in a three-match ODI series against India and Starc is expected to be part of the squad for the playing XI.Previously, Starc featured in 27 matches for RCB, and in 2018, he was signed by the Kolkata Knight Riders but had to withdraw due to injury. On several occasions, he had shown interest in participation in the league , later, he withdrew his name from the auction list, prioritizing spending time at major ICC events, including the ODI World Cup, the T20 World Cup, and the Ashes. A number of teams will be looking to rope in their franchisees inclding CSK, RCB and MI.
