Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar questioned the logic behind Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bidding INR 24.75 Cr for Mitchell Starc in the IPL 2024 auction recently. Starc was the second player in the auction to get a bid of over INR 20 Cr, as his Australia teammate Pat Cummins got an INR 20.50 Cr bid by Sunrisers Hyderabad.

This will be the first time since IPL 2016, that Mitchell Starc be playing in the Indian Premier League. Starc will enter the IPL as the most expensive player ever. KKR were involved in a major tug of war with Gujarat Titans for the signature of the Aussie pacer and they held on till the end to get their man.

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Gavaskar said no one is worth that kind of money while talking about Starc’s move to KKR.

“Over the top, to be absolutely frank. I don't think anybody is worth that kind of money. If Starc can make an impact and win maybe four out of the 14 matches that he plays, then you can say money's worth. Then if he makes contributions in the other games - absolutely fantastic,” said Gavaskar to Star Sports.  

He went on to say that Starc will have to bowl match-winning spells in at least four of KKR’s 14 matches in IPL 2024. Starc had picked 16 wickets for Australia in their 2023 World Cup win.

“He has got to bowl match-winning spells in at least four out of the 14 matches, and maybe the crucial matches against the Mumbai Indians, the Chennai Super Kings, and RCB, because these three have top-class batting lineups. Bowl those teams out and you could even then say - money's worth,” Gavaskar added.