IPL 2024 mini-auction: 3 reasons why RCB should go all out for Mitchell Starc

Australia's premier pacer Mitchell Starc is expected to create a bidding war on December 19 when all 10 franchises sit around the table for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 mini-auction. Despite not being part of the cash-rich league for several years, the left-arm pacer's value in the market hasn't gone down and perhaps increased a bit after a good World Cup campaign. 

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Starc represented Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 2014 and 2015 seasons, but injuries sidelined him in the latter two seasons. In 2018, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) acquired the services of the Aussie speedster for a whopping sum of Rs 9.40 crore, but he did not feature for them in a single match. Since then he has not participated in the tournament due to various reasons. 

Now with the 2024 T20 World Cup set to take place right after the IPL 2024, Starc has announced his participation and registered himself for the mini-auction at the highest base price of Rs 2 crore. During the mega event, multiple franchises including his former team RCB are likely to go all out for the elite seamer. On that note, let's look at 3 reasons why RCB should look to sign Mitchell Starc in the IPL 2024 auction.

3. Familiar place, easy to adapt

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As mentioned in the above paragraph, Starc played for RCB for two seasons, so it will be easy for him to adapt when he returns to the competitive league after 8 long years. RCB is one of the franchises with a massive fan following and when Starc returns to the team, they will treat him warmly. His old captain Virat Kohli is still a dynamic presence in the team and now his teammate Glenn Maxwell is also in the set-up. Moreover, RCB's new head coach Andy Flower has closely worked with the pacer as a member of Australia's coaching staff.

2. Starc's extra pace will suit Chinnaswamy's conditions 

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The M Chinnaswamy Stadium has short boundaries and the surface aids pacers well, especially with the new ball. Starc is a master at threatening the batters with the new ball, so would be a great addition for RCB in home conditions. Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan also pointed out the advantage of Starc's extra pace on the Chinnaswamy pitch. 

"They (RCB) would want him there as well because being a left-armer, bowling 140-plus, having that extra pace in those types of pitches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium will be of utmost importance for RCB," Pathan recently said on Star Sports.

1. RCB need a pace spearhead

RCB has taken a bold decision to revamp their bowling unit ahead of the auction. Their bowling department has improved a bit in recent years but they have always been a concern for them. Most of their bowlers, including Harshal Pate and Starc's teammate Josh Hazlewood, will not be part of the squad this time. Replacing Hazlewood with Starc will give them a spearhead for the pace attack.