Australia’s Mitchell Starc reveals he hasn’t heard from KKR following his release from the team ahead of IPL 2025, with the franchise allegedly blocking contact attempts.
Australia’s premier fast bowler, Mitchell Starc, has disclosed that he has yet to receive any communication from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) following his release from the team before the upcoming 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. Starc, who played a crucial role for KKR in the 2024 season by taking 17 wickets, including a match-winning 2/14 in the final, expressed his surprise at the silence from the franchise.
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Starc said,“I still haven’t heard from them (KKR)…,” said Starc told Australia’s The Daily Telegraph.
When Times of India reached out to KKR CEO Venky Mysore for comments, the contact was reportedly blocked without any response, intensifying speculations about KKR’s handling of player communications. This unexpected development raises questions about transparency and communication within the franchise.
KKR’s IPL 2025 Retention Strategy
Ahead of the 2025 IPL season, KKR retained six players, prioritizing top names like Rinku Singh at INR 13 crore and Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Varun Chakaravarthy at INR 12 crore each.
Additionally, two uncapped players, Ramandeep Singh and Harshit Rana, were retained for INR 4 crore each. Starc’s exclusion surprised many fans and analysts, given his match-winning contributions during the last season.
While KKR cited “strategic alignment” for their retention choices, the lack of clarity on Starc’s release has drawn considerable attention.
Questions on Communication Policy with Players
This episode is not the first instance of a KKR player facing communication delays. Prior to the retention deadline, Shreyas Iyer reportedly encountered similar communication lapses with the franchise, which were resolved only after persistent follow-ups.
In response to media speculation, KKR CEO Mysore stated, “We maintain transparency and have proper conversations with everyone, including those we couldn’t retain.”
However, reports suggest a gap between these statements and recent player experiences, particularly with Starc and Iyer, raising questions about the management’s communication approach.
This incident may influence perceptions of KKR’s relationship management with its players, especially as other teams continue to bolster player communication. Whether or not KKR reengages with Starc or issues a clarification remains to be seen.
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