The auction of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 is set to take place in the second week of February. Ahead of the auctions, all eight IPL franchises have laid out the list of their released and retained players.
Unlike the previous seasons, there will be a mini-auction in IPL 2021, and several names will be up for grabs. However, one name that is expected to attract quite a few franchises is Australia’s paceman Mitchell Starc. Seve𒅌ral pundits have already claimed that Starc can become the most expensive buy in the league’s history.
The Australian pace sensation hasn’t played in the lucrative league since 2015. In 2018, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) roped in Starc, but he missed th⛦e season because൲ of an injury.
Starc, then made hꦓimself unavailable for IPL 2020 to prepare for the ICC T20 World Cup, which got postponed to October 2021 due to the coronavirus pand🔯emic.
Let’s have a look at four such teams ﷺthat can bid for Starc in IPL 2021 auctions:
1.) Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) performed extremely well in IPL 2020 which was held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The likes of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Yuzvendra Chahal make the s🦩quad really strong, but they haven’t yet ꦯwon an IPL trophy.
One of the main reasons behind th🎉is is their poor death bowling. There have been many occasions when RCB failed to defend the tar♛get despite notching up huge totals of 200 plus on the scoreboard.
Ahead of IPL 2021, RCB have released Chris Morris and Umesh Yadav while Dale Steyn had made himself unavailable for this season. Now, the ‘Team Gold and Red’ just have pace trio of Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini and Kane Richardson. So, it won’t be a surprise if RCB will have a go at🍬 St൩arc.
2.) Mumbai Indians (MI)
Mumbai Indians (MI) is the most successful team in the cash-rich league. They have won the IPL title five times. MI is a complete squad, but with Lasith Malinga announcing his retirement, they would be looking to🧔 streng𝔍then their death bowling.
MI already have their two main fast bowlers in the form of Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult, and they shall be hoping to include Starc as their third pacer to com🀅plete the pace attack.
Recently, the reigning champions released Nathan Coulter-Nile and James Pattinson from their former squad.
3.) Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Rajasthan Royals (RR) had a disastrous outing in the 2020 season, finishing at the eighth position in the standings. Although, Jofra Archer looked in supreme touch with the ball, but ♏he didn’t get the ideal support from his bowling ꧂partners.
Ahead of IPL 2021 auctions, Royals have released their captain Steve Smith and given the leadership responsibilities to Sanju Samson. The absence of Smith leaves Rajasthan with one empty overseas slots as the other three are occupied by Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer. Starc can fulfil the remaining spo𝔍t and boost the bowling lineup of Royals.
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