'Been eight years, definitely going back' - Mitchell Starc planning IPL return in 2024

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has shown his interest for a return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) next year. This comes as he gears up for the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA in June 2024, viewing the IPL as the perfect platform for honing his skills before the marquee event.

Starc, who last played in the IPL back in 2015, expressed his eagerness to make a comeback and said that he is definitely going to IPL next year as its been eight years since he last played in the league.

"Look, it's been eight years. I'm definitely going back in [next] year," Starc said In an exclusive chat with the Willow Talk Cricket Podcast.

The paceman from Australia has already made 27 appearances in two seasons for Royal Challengers Bangalore and was later picked up by the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2018, but he had to withdraw due to an injury.

The decision to play in the IPL for Starc aligns with the relatively light Australian cricket schedule for 2024, with only the T20 World Cup in sight between the tour of New Zealand in March and white-ball series against Afghanistan, Ireland, and England in late August.

Starc emphasized the significance of the IPL as a lead-up to the T20 World Cup.

"So a good opportunity to see if anyone's interested in the IPL, then lead into the T20 World Cup. And it's somewhat of a quiet winter next year…in comparison to this winter, so I think a perfect opportunity to put my name in," he said.

Starc's previous reluctance to participate in the IPL was rooted in his commitment to Test cricket. However, with an eye on reaching a century of Test appearances, he remains open to new challenges. 

"I try not to look too far ahead with anything, not just get to 100 [Tests], I'd like to be good enough to be picked for 100 Tests, and then you look at the one-day format, it's sort of four years in between World Cups, so where do I see myself in that mix? But I've got to get to the end of this World Cup first,” Starc added.