IPL 2019: Kolkata Knight Riders explains reasons for releasing Mitchell Starc

Two-time Indian Premier League champions Kolkata Knight Riders have clarified the reason why they decided to release Australia pacer Mitchell Starc ahead of the 12^th IPL players auction, scheduled to be held next month.

Starc, who was one of the costliest buys in two consecutive IPL auctions, missed both the seasons due to injuries. The first time in 2016-17 he was with Royal Challengers Bangalore, while in the next year he was bought by KKR.

“I got a text message two days ago from the owners of Kolkata saying I’ve been released from my contract,” Starc informed reporters when asked about his IPL contract. “At the moment I’ll be home in April.”

Also Read: IPL 2019: Complete list of players retained, released and traded by all franchises

All of the IPL teams put the list of their retained and released players ahead of the upcoming auctions. KKR retained 13 players, releasing big names like Mitchell Johnson and Tom Curran apart from Starc.

On Friday, KKR CEO Venky Mysore finally revealed why the team management chose to part ways with the lanky Australian fast bowler. Mysore was quoted by the Hindustan Times as saying to the KKR website: It has been picked up out of context because we have had a great relationship. Even when we picked him last year, not only was he over the moon, but he was also appreciative towards the confidence we had shown in him.”

“He was extremely disappointed he couldn’t come here for last year’s IPL, and to be frank, so were we. It left a big hole in our line-up. This time, when we had an exchange of messages, he was appreciative of where we were coming from,” he added.

Also Read: Kolkata Knights Riders released me from my contract, says Mitchell Starc

He also informed that both Australia and England have set clauses on the back of releasing their players for the cash-rich league. Cricketers from England and Australia, who are primed to be a part of the 2019 World Cup won’t be available for the entire length of the tournament and hence all eight teams have to choose wisely, he said.

“The auctions this year will depend heavily on the availability of the players, especially given that the World Cup is coming up. The Australian board has apparently said that their players appearing in the IPL and the ones appearing in the World Cup has to return no later than May 1. The English board has apparently got a similar clause, so that will be an important consideration.”