Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders decided to retain six players - Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, and Ramandeep Singh.- ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. KKR were among the only two franchises who decided to use their entire quota of retentions and not keep any Right-To-Match (RTM) cards going into the auction. However, one major name missing in the list was their Rs 24.75 Crore fast bowler Mitchell Starc. Starc became the costliest buy in IPL history in 2024 but the Australia international was released by the defending champions. Starc revealed that he did not have any conversation with the franchise regarding the decision.
“I still haven't heard from them (KKR). It is what it is, that's franchise cricket, so all barring the Hyderabad boys (Pat Cummins and Travis Head) will be in the auction,” Starc told Australia's The Daily Telegraph.
Meanwhile, Starc overtook legendary compatriot Brett Lee to become the fastest bowler to achieve 100 ODI wickets in his country.
Starc accomplished this feat during the first ODI against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). During the game, Starc delivered a fine performance with the ball. He took three wickets for 33 runs in his 10 overs at an economy rate of 3.33. He got the wickets of both openers Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub and later went on to get the scalp of Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Now, Starc has taken his 100 ODI wickets in Australia in just 54 innings, outdoing Lee's record of reaching the milestone in 55 innings. Glenn McGrath, another Aussie legend, is third ont he list, getting his 100th ODI wicket in Australia in 56th innings.
Starc is the 30th player to have taken 100 ODI wickets or more in any country. South Africa legend Shaun Pollock holds the record here, having taken 197 wickets in SA.
Australia won the toss and opted to bowl first. Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals, with skipper Mohammed Rizwan (44 in 71 balls, with two fours and a six) and Babar Azam (37 in 44 balls, with four boundaries) scoring runs among recognised batters. Naseem Shah (40 in 39 balls, with one four and four sixes) and Shaheen Afridi (24 in 19 balls, with three fours and a six) put up a fight as well, taking the side to 203/10 in 46.4 overs.
Starc (3/33) was the pick of the bowlers for Australia. Pat Cummins also took 2/39 in 9.4 overs. Adam Zampa was also impressive, taking 2/64 in his 10 overs.
In the run-chase of 204 runs, Australia was two down at 28 runs. An 85-run partnership between Steve Smith (44 in 46 balls, with six fours) and Josh Inglis (49 in 42 balls, with six fours and three sixes) guided Aussies out of trouble.
But Pakistani bowlers once again made a comeback, reducing Australia to 185/8. However, skipper Cummins (32* in 31 balls, with four boundaries) took Australia to victory with over 16 overs to spare.
Starc took home the 'Player of the Match' for his spell and Australia is 1-0 up in the series.
(With ANI inputs)
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