Mitchell Starc, IPL's Costliest Purchase, Receives Backing Of KKR CEO Venky Mysore Amid Poor Form

Despite Mitchell Starc's poor form, KKR find themselves in a comfortable position at the IPL 2024 points tally.

Mitchell Starc, KKR's most expensive purchase, has received the backing of CEO Venky Mysore. ( Image Source :PTI )

Mitchell Starc, the most expensive purchase in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction having been bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) who a whopping Rs 24.75 Crore, has been under fir for his relatively underwhelming performance in the tounament so far. After having gone for a hefty sum, the left-arm speedster has not delivered as strong a performance as the team would have liked with 6 wickets in 7 matches at an average of 47.83.

However, Starc has received the backing of the team's CEO Venky Mysore. In a recent statement, Mysore has said that the team is not looking at the Australian's inclusion only from an investment point of view but what he adds to the team as a whole. His remark came after Starc nearly failed to defend 21 runs off the final over before KKR could only hold on to a 1-run win against Royal Challenges Bengaluru (RCB).

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"We don't think of it from an investment standpoint, because you go to the auction and things happen in the auction, which is not in the hands of the player, nor is it in the hands of anybody else," Mysore said as quoted by news agency PTI.

"We just felt that an addition to the team like Mitchell Starc would add a lot of value, which it has. I mean, his presence itself in the lineup adds a different dynamic to the team, and there were specific skills that the support staff were looking for. So, we think we had that," he added.

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KKR In Comortable Position In IPL 2024

Despite Starc's poor form, KKR find themselves in a comfortable position at the IPL 2024 points tally. The two-time former champions have registered 5 wins from 7 matches at a net run rate of +1.2.06 are consequently at the second place on the table. With a foot in the Playoffs, KKR would hope that Starc's best is yet to come this season which will further bolster the team's chances of going all the way this year.