Australia star pacer Mitchell Stac is set to return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) after eight years. Starc always prioritised playing for his national team and had to compromise on his franchise T20 league cricket. However, the 32-year-old has now confirmed that he will be available for the 2024 IPL as he sees it as an ideal preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup in West Indies and the USA in June.

The 33-year-old will be giving his name for the 2024 IPL auction, and if he gets picked up by a franchise, it would be his first appearance in the tournament since 2015. Starc, who is the No. 2-ranked ODI bowler in the world, has managed to take 34 wickets at an average of 20.38 in his 27 IPL matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). His best season was in 2015 when he claimed 20 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 14.55.

Kolkata Knight Riders bought him in 2018 but he withdrew due to an injury. On other occasions, he found himself unavailable in the cash-rich league due to the Australian cricket team’s tight schedule.

“Look it’s been eight years. I’m definitely going back in (next) year. 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 told the Willow Talk Cricket Podcast about his IPL return plans.

I’ve got to get to the end of this World Cup first: Mitchell Starc

The left-arm pacer has played 82 Tests so far and if he manages to play in all of Australia’s upcoming matches, his 100th game will be in the 2025-26 Ashes.

“Not just get to 100, I’d like to be good enough to be picked for 100 Tests,” he said. “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,” he added.

Here’s how fans reacted:

I think mi needs quality left arm pacer

— Hsk (@hsk_analyst) September 7, 2023

Bro's gonna pull out in January again 🙏🏻

— Arvind (@tanwarvin) September 7, 2023

The most expensive player In IPL history.. Loading..

— Satire (@satire_699) September 7, 2023

Punjab will go for him

— Axdii (@adeshpandey717) September 7, 2023

But the sad thing is Mitchell starc did it many times "return his name from auction at close auction time"

— Pkrb (@pkrb31) September 7, 2023

https://twitter.com/yashhverse/status/1699627357773185482?s=20

Nahi khelega , ye rayudu ka bhi Baap hai is tarah ki bakchodi me. Starc and Stokes dono.

— S (@Fmab96) September 7, 2023

Ha baad mai withdraw kr lega 🤣🤣

— Dr. GS Bindra (PT) (@Gursimr52478812) September 7, 2023